Willie C. Nickerson Sr.

It was a Saturday, the day after Christmas, in1931, when Willie Curtis Nickerson Sr, the fifth child and the fifth son from the union of Adcus and Velma Nickerson was born in Henderson County on the Ross Smith Farm, across the Cotton Belt Railroad Track South on a hill. He was known by Curtis, Uncle Curtis, Willie, Willie C., Nick, and Mr. Nickerson.

He moved to Mineral Wells, TX and attended Dunbar High School where he was a star basketball player, with a “fine corner hook shot” according to his youngest brother Arthur. He graduated in 1950 and soon afterwards headed off to serve his country in the United States Army. After his return home he welcomed his first born daughter, Diane.

After reuniting with his former girlfriend, Bernice Houston, they were married in 1954. To this union four children were born. Not knowing exactly where he was going, dad moved his family by faith to Dallas, in 1957. He matriculated into Southwest School of Business in 1958.

He later married Merlene Stoker, in 1972. and to that union two children were born. In all, Willie C. fathered seven children and helped to raise nine additional children, all of whom he treated with love and care without distinction.

Ever since his mother caught him skipping school and whooped him down their long driveway, back to the front porch, daddy had an appreciation for education. In his forties, he enrolled into Eastfield College in Dallas, and later, to pursue his biblical education, he graduated from the Southern Bible Institute.

Willie began his Christian walk in earnest, under the ministry of his brother, the late Rev. Alonzo D. Nickerson Sr. at Illinois Ave. Baptist Church in 1971. He remained a faithful member of that congregation, serving where needed, including deacon and minister . He was a faithful member until he moved from Dallas in 2020. Dad concluded his Christian service under the ministry of his son Minister Ian D. Nickerson, Sr. of Abilene, TX. It was in Abilene, on January 3, 2021, where he submitted to water baptism, putting on Christ and adding him to the church. His favorite Bible verse is Psalms 100:5 - “For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting and his truth endureth to all generations.” And his message to children was, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the year draw near when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

Dad was an avid writer. He turned his fondness for writing into a ministry. In January of 2004, he began his monthly publication, the WORD OF GOD MINISTRY. Concerning the publication he wrote,

“January 17, 2024, I was able to celebrate 20 years of The Word of God Ministry!!! In 2004, God put it on my heart to share HIS Word with as many people as I could. With the help of Sis. Geraldine Hooker, as my secretary, we grew the ministry from 20 to over one-hundred people on our mailing list. It has been an honor and a blessing for me to be able to share God’s Word with you.”

Dad was also a businessman. He took over the income tax and bookkeeping from his older brother, Alonzo D., and began his own service known as Nick's Tax Service. This service allowed him to meet many people, business people and celebrities across Dallas. He did some work for Cowboy’s legends such as Harvey Martin and Ed “Too Tall” Jones. Yet, as a man with his own mind, he was NOT a Cowboy fan.

Willie worked and retired from the City of Dallas as a supervisor of the city’s tire shop, and later he worked for and retired from the Dallas Independent School District as a bus driver. In his spare time, dad enjoyed watching game shows, baseball (especially the Texas Rangers), and spending time with his family.Hereally enjoyed his time at the senior centers in both Duncanville and Abilene. He looked forward to Wednesday Bible class, hanging out with good company, winning prizes playing bingo, and playing and winning dominoes with his partner.

Dad was a kind, gentle and giving man. For years he never went to church without giving someone else a ride to the church house with him. He gave strangers a place to stay in his own home (against many of our wishes). And dad always said, “Thank you” regardless of how big or small the gesture. In fact, some of his final words a few hours before he passed away were “Thank you, for everything.”

He is preceded in death by —- 4 brothers Harold Nickerson, Alonzo D. Nickerson, Leslie Nickerson, Aducus Nickerson Jr., and 4 sisters Lela Mae Davis, Vessie Ball, Billie Cross and Velma Nickerson; 2 sons: Willie Curtis Jr., and Freddy Dwight.

Those who remain to celebrate his life: 4 daughters: Diane, Shelia, Alondell and Cher; 2 sons: Kennedy Earl, Ian Sr. (Sherita) a sister Lela Cross, and his two brothers DeArtis Nickerson and Arthur Nickerson; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and a long time special friend and former spouse Phyliss France.