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Billy Ray "Bill" Nichols
Dec 27, 1927 - Mar 20, 2018
Posted by: Ann Weber

STUMPFF FUNERAL HOME
BARTLESVILLE, WASHINGTON CO, OK
(permission granted)

Bill Nichols, 90, retired comptroller for Phillips Petroleum, passed away at his home on March 20, 2018.

Bill was born on December 27, 1927 in rural Washington County, North of Dewey, Oklahoma to parents George Henry and Myrtle Alice (Bowman) Nichols.
Bills father died in the Dewey tornado of 1942. Bill was 14 years old when he left home to make his own way, as his Mother had other children to support. Bill went to work at Superior Welding, which was busy helping support the War effort. When Bill was 16, his mother signed papers for him to join the US Navy. He was in boot camp his Junior year of high school, and he turned 17 in China. After WWII he returned and worked at the K & C Welding Shop, and started taking classes at Pittsburg St. He married Beverly Ann Loper at Mound Valley, Kansas on December 28, 1948. Bill hitchhiked back and forth to classes in Pittsburg, and when Beverly called and gave him the news that they were expecting a child, he quit school, hitchhiked home, and got a job with Phillips Petroleum.
Bill was an active man with many hobbies and interests. Along with his full-time job at Phillips, he owned the Holiday Inn 66 and Hillcrest 66 service stations. When he sold them, he invested in rental properties, buying and fixing up houses to rent out. He did all the carpentry, electrical, plumbing and repairs himself.
Bill had quite the green thumb, and always enjoyed a large vegetable garden and grew beautiful flowers. He would often work his garden late at night and sometimes into the wee hours of the morning. In the 1960’s, Bill got interested in jewelry making. He used turquoise and sterling silver to create beautiful and unique jewelry and pendants.
In the 1970’s, Bill also began selling ElectroLuxe vacuums door to door, and before long, he was a top salesman in the region.
Bill has a love of automobiles, and had a special affinity for Cadillac Convertibles, of which he owned many. He collected many, many old cars, in various states of condition.
In the 1980’s, Bill purchased a small 10-acre farm. Pretty soon the acreage grew, and he started a hay and cattle operation. Bill was also a lifelong student, taking numerous college classes over the years. He enjoyed reading, Zane Gray Western novels were a favorite. Bill was always good natured and was called “Billy Pure Heart” by many that knew him.

Bill is survived by his daughter Rita Byfield and husband Mike of Bartlesville; son Earl Nichols and wife Teri of Bartlesville; five grandchildren Sean Byfield, Kristi Davis, Katee Byfield, Ian Nichols and Andrew Nichols; four great-grandchildren Lukas Byfield, Eva Davis, Gray Davis and Tycen Nichols and brother Jerry Nichols of Eufala, Oklahoma.

He is preceded in death by his wife Beverly Ann on May 2, 2017 and siblings Don Oscar, Earl Eugene, Carl Curtis, Joe, John Wesley Nichols, Joe Rogers, Violet Clark, June Rigdon, Mae Goldsberry, Betty Jane Armstrong and Georgina Morgan. He was also preceded in death by one great-grandson Ryker Nichols.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, March 23, 2018 at Memorial Park Cemetery in Bartlesville at 1:00 pm.

Thank You For Your Service!