Howard Earl Nichols, 81, of Shawnee died Wednesday, March 30, in Oklahoma City.

Born January 30, 1924, in McLoud to Henry Ernest and Cora Belle Parsons Nichols. He returned to Shawnee in 1999 after living in Clinton for many years. He was raised in Bethel.

He graduated Bethel High School and served in the US Army Air Corps during World War II. He received the National Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Emblem, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Silver Star and Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Medal and numerous campaign ribbons.

He was the owner of Pop Hicks Restaurant on Route 66 and Howard Nichols Waterproofing. He was a commander of the American Legion Post 41 and VFW in Clinton. He transferred to Post 16 in Shawnee, where he was an active member. He also was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church.

On January 6, 1947 he was united in marriage to Mary Williams in England. She preceded him in death in 1998.

Preceded in death by a son, Ernie Nichols, his parents, seven brothers, Joe, Cletus, Cecil, Roy, J. D., Jack and Jimmy Nichols, and two sisters, Ruby Baker and Mary Nichols.

Survivors include his son, Thomas H. Nichols of Kingston; daughter-in-law, Afton Nichols of Shawnee; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Bill and Linda Nichols of Shawnee, Rusty and Dorothy Nichols of Milwaukee, Ore.; brother-in-law, Pat Williams of England; a sister-in-law, Janet Nichols of the home; five grandchildren, Rocky Nichols, Shawnee; Rhonda Walker, Durant; Thomas Howard Nichols, Joseph Nichols, both of Monterrey, Calif.; Sgt. Marykatherine Gorlick, Wurzburg, Germany, two great-grandchildren and many other relatives.

Graveside service will be 2:00 p.m. Monday at Fairview Cemetery with the Rev. Bob Harmon officiating.

Cooper Funeral Home is directing arrangements.