Mr. William Leo Nolan

Nolan, William (Bill) L., 97 of North Richland Hills passed away January 4, 2023. Bill was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts on May 23, 1925. As soon as he was old enough, he joined the Navy to protect and “see” the world. He served his country from 1943-1946 during World War 2 in the South Pacific as a signalman and again in 1951-1952 during the Korean Conflict.

Bill met the light of his life, Gwendolyn (Gwen) Naomi Harrington while roller skating at the local rink. In order to catch her eye, he cleaned and oiled her skates. After a fourteen-month engagement, they married on July 31, 1948, and their romance lasted for 74 years, as they could always be seen holding hands whether it was walking together or sitting.

After the Navy, he returned to his old job with the New England NAPA warehouse. He left for a great opportunity with Sherwin-Williams and was promoted many times while moving around the country. Bill and his family lived in Boston, Cleveland, Miami, Fort Worth, Chicago, Detroit, and San Francisco, while raising two sons. He retired from Sherwin-Williams and moved back to Fort Worth. After retirement he was intrigued with computers, so he took some classes, and his second career began. For many years he taught computer classes to seniors at TCJC and was a member of their Computer User Group. Eventually Gwen said” retired” means retired, so he gave it up and helped her through a health issue.

Bill and Gwen have been members of First United Methodist Church-Hurst for 36 years. Bill will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 74 years, Gwendolyn Naomi; sons, William Kenneth (Ken) of Grapevine, Robert Charles (Bob) and wife Toni of Chicago; grandchildren, Irissa Anne Nolan of Roanoke, Ryan William Nolan and wife Miranda of Chicago and Sami Nolan of Chicago, along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be held with full military honors on Friday, January 13, 2023, at 10:00am, Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home, 525 Colleyville Rd., Colleyville, Texas 76034. Memorials can be sent to First United Methodist Church-Hurst or the North Richland Hills Animal Shelter.