Billy Jack Nichols

Bill was the fourth child in a family of 10. He grew up in the hills of Kentucky, running barefoot in the summer, riding horses bareback. His favorite drink was clabbored milk, and he was known for his marksmanship. He first met his future wife when she was 4 and he was 5. He skipped two grades and eventually attended college at 16. He found he was not emotionally ready for college at 16 so he quit. He tried to enlist in the Air Force at 17, with a perfect score on the recruitment exam; however, his parents wouldn’t sign off. So, he waited and signed up on his 18th birthday. Trained as a control tower operator, a 9-day boat trip took him to Panama, where an earthquake made his stool roll back and forth in the swaying tower. Later, in Puerto Rico he learned to play ping pong, throwing the paddle from hand to hand. At Rudi AFB, GA, he completed a physical and intelligence competition, flew back to Puerto Rico, and was selected to be a pilot or a navigator. He chose PILOT. (At one time he was James McDivitt’s wingman, future Gemini & Apollo astronaut). Five days after the Korean War ended, and after 13 months of training, he graduated flight school in TX at 10am and married the love of his life, Ruth Ellen, at 2pm. He was set to go to 6-wk gunnery school for the F86-F but his orders were changed and they moved to Maine for the Strategic Air Command flying the F86-D fighter interceptor jet.

Their first daughter, Teresa, was born at DOW AFB in Maine. They spent a brief time in Massachusetts and then daughter, Ramona, was born in KY. (A bleeding ulcer caused him to pass out and he could no longer fly, but he would remain in the Reserve/Guard throughout his career, retiring as a full colonel in 1982.) He was accepted into the UK and ended up on the Dean’s list, after which he was offered a 3-yr fellowship to move to AZ for nuclear physics. Then NASA hired him as a nuclear physicist; and their first son, Billy Jr, joined the family in CA. While at NASA, using the new electron microscope, he worked on the mu-meson and developing the “perfect mirror” which would both help in the development of re-entry shields. Their last move was back to the Midwest to be closer to family. Timothy was born in Michigan. Bill worked 30 years as a civilian for the US Army Tank-automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM), in the development and acquisition of Ground Combat Vehicles. He also obtained his MBA and taught statistics at CMU.

His greater love was for his God, wife, and family. He believed in following the Bible as truth. He served many years as an elder in the Lord’s church. With a strong and warm heart, he was generous and often anonymous with his blessings. He supported MCYC and attended many years as a Bible Camp weekly manager, providing campers with scholarships, and ice cream for all the children on a hot day. He supported his children and grandchildren in music, chorus, plays, sports, and college. There was a special place in his heart for his grandson, Luke, whom he cherished and helped care for and teach. He loved to grow tomatoes and onions. After retirement he drove a CAT Track tractor and grain cart in SD at harvest with Bob & Terry. (Reminded him of those tanks!) He loved playing the game of Rook, since the early years of gathering in the yard under the trees in KY. He could still beat us playing Rook, on Thanksgiving two years ago.

Every Sunday, you could hear him singing “Oh they tell me of a home…” as he shaved for worship.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Ellen; his parents and 8 siblings; his granddaughters Rachel and Shannon, and great-grandson Seth. He is survived by his sister, Patricia Carolyn Edwards; his children: Terry (Bob) Duncan IA, Mona (David) Kimmel, Billy Jr (Karen), and Tim (Anne) all of MI: Twelve grandchildren: Bobby (Katrina), Jessica (Michael), Sarah (Byran), Becca (Val), Raymond, Davey (Michelle), Luke, Brittany (Greg), Mikaela (Luke), Caleb, Hailey, and Tyler; thirteen great grandchildren: Robby, Violet, Bailey, Ivy, Zoey, Lucy, Roman, Cody, Ben, Liam, Alexis, Hannah, and Miles; and one great-great grandchild: Ellis.

We are grateful to those who help us celebrate his life today. We were blessed by God to have him with us. Memorials may be directed toward the Autism Research Institute at autism.org. Funeral service is scheduled for 11:00 Friday, February 2, 2024, at the North Warren Church of Christ at 14150 13 Mile Rd. After the service, please join us for lunch in the fellowship hall. On Saturday, February 3, 2024, the family will meet at the Christian Memorial Gardens West in Rochester Hills for the burial at 2:00. You are welcome to join us.