Billy Bundren Nichols

Born in New Cambria, Missouri, on Nov. 25, 1925, to Clara Virginia and Roy Nathan Nichols, he was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mildred N. Ruch, Doris J. Nichols and a son-in-law, Mark Soldate.

He is survived by his wife, Jean, of 60 years; a daughter, Dr. Katherine Nichols; son, John Nichols; a daughter-in-law, Suzanne Nichols; granddaughter, Paige Nichols; and grandsons,Tyler Nichols, Benjamim Soldate and Jeffrey Soldate.

He was a graduate of Hannibal High School, class of 1942. His first employment was at Hannibal radio station KHMO, which engendered his life-long love of radio and electronics. He studied electronics at Dodge Institute in Valparaiso, Indiana, prior to enlisting the U.S. Navy in 1944. Bill was assigned to the U.S. Naval Group, China, where he served in 1945-46 and discharged as an Electronic Technician first class.

Bill studied at the University of Missouri under the G.I. Bill of Rights and received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1950. The University of Missouri honored him with membership in Tau Beta Pi, engineering honor fraternity, and Omicron Delta Kappa leadership fraternity.

He was employed as an electrical engineer by General Electric Co. from 1950 until his retirement in 1983. He had worked in Schenectady, N.Y. and Owensboro, KY before coming to Waynesboro in 1955 when he was among the first group of engineers opening the Specialty Control Department. His main responsibilities were in instrumentation which allowed him to work with development of Specialty Control’s expanding number of products. After 33 years with GE, he retired in 1983 and worked another seven years for GENICOM Corp. through 1989.

He was a long-time member of Main Street United Methodist Church who served many years in the church’s audio ministries from public address systems on. He delivered meals to community elderly, was the volunteer who repaired audio tape books for the Waynesboro Public Library and he enjoyed working with the team of former GE engineers who oversaw the library’s change to computerized record keeping. For several years he worked at the Rockfish Gap Tourist Center and also provided transportation for Appalachian Trail Hikers from there to Waynesboro. He began volunteering at the new Augusta Medical Center in 1994 as driver of the first Courtesy Shuttle Bus. He enjoyed bowling, golf and attending General’s games. He was coach of a young boys’ Farm League team which remained close to his heart.

He and Jean were avid square dancers.

Plans are for a Memorial Service to be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, May 20, 2011 at Main Street United Methodist Church, 601 West Main Street, conducted by the Rev. Neil Hough and the Rev. Janet Knott. Friends may visit with the family at a reception in the Fellowship Hall after the service.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions to a charity of their choice or to one of these: Summit Square Fellowship Fund, 501 Oak Ave. Waynesboro, VA. 22980, Main Street United Methodist Church 601 W. Main St., Waynesboro, VA, 22980. Waynesboro Public Library 600 S. Wayne Ave. Waynesboro, VA, 22980 or Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah P. O. Box 215 Fishersville, VA 22939.

The family has entrusted the arrangements in final care to Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes and Crematory.