Bill Willie Nicholson

Willie R. 'Bill' Nicholson, 87, of Abbeville, husband of Annette Shockley Nicholson, died peacefully on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at the Richard M. Campbell Nursing Home. He was born in Gaffney, SC to the late Milton C. & Maude Rankin Nicholson. Mr. Nicholson was a WWII veteran having served in the United States Army. He retired from the Abbeville Public Utilities and was a dedicated Volunteer Fireman, for 37 years, with the City of Abbeville Fire Department. After retiring from the Fire Department, he worked with Prince Bros. Real Estate Company in Abbeville. Mr. Nicholson was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, where he has attended for 61 years, and was a member of the Morning Star group and Methodist Men of the church. He served in the Clinton Masonic Lodge AFM #3 for 52 years and in the Woodman of the World #525. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #2. Mr. Nicholson enjoyed spending time at his lake house on Lake Secession and spending time with his family and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Rod and Jack Nicholson and a sister, Frances Bingen. Surviving Mr. Nicholson is his wife of 61 years of the home; two daughters, Jean Byrd and her husband Mike of Greenwood and Karen Cobb and her husband Bob of Donalds; two brothers, Frank Nicholson of Lake Secession and Mitt Nicholson of Martinez, GA; four grandchildren, Michael Byrd and his wife Jennifer, Kevin Byrd and his wife Laura, Kelsey Cobb and Louie Cobb; two great-grandchildren, Phillip and Andrew Byrd; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 1:00PM to 2:00PM on Thursday, July 26, 2012 at Grace United Methodist Church. Funeral Services will begin at 2:30PM on Thursday in the church with the Rev. Jason Wilson officiating. Burial with military honors, masonic rites and fireman honors will follow in Long Cane Cemetery. The family is at the residence. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully request all memorials be sent to the Grace United Methodist Church Building Fund, 145 Grace Dr., Abbeville, SC 29620. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com HARRIS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES of Abbeville is assisting the Nicholson family.