ESSEX: William E. “Bill” Nichols, 76, of Essex, died Monday, October 4, 2010 at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Burlington following a brief illness. He was the husband of Barbara A. (Gorman) Nichols.
Born in Glen Cove, New York on July 6, 1934, he was the son of the late Walter and Margaret (Hults) Nichols, the founders of Nichols Candies. He was a graduate of the Gloucester High School class of 1952 and East Coast Aerotech. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in September of 1957.
He and Barbara had been residents of Essex since 1966. In 1970, he joined his parents and sister at Nichols Candies. His wife soon joined the family business, and they ran Nichols Candies together for years. Semi-retired, Bill still went to work every morning, right up until the end.
He was an active member of Retail Confectioners International, and served as president of the organization from 1986 to 1987. He was also a past president of the New England Retail Confectioners Association.
In addition to his wife of fifty-four years, he is survived by three children, Stephen Nichols and his companion, Jeanette Wickers of Rockport, Dana Nichols of Pace, Florida and Diane Warwick of Dover, NH; four granddaughters, Theresa, wife of Mark Whitman of Essex, Krystle Warwick, Melanie Warwick and Colleen Warwick all of Dover, NH, a great-granddaughter, Margaret Jane Whitman of Essex; his sister, Jane Walsh also of Essex; and several cousins including, James Nichols of Rockport. He was also predeceased by his son-in-law, Ronald Warwick and grandson, Matthew Nichols.
His funeral service will be held on Thursday morning in the St. John’s Episcopal Church at 11 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester from 5 – 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment will be held in the Spring Street Cemetery, Essex.