William D. “Bill” Nicholas, son of Melvin D. and Blanche (Carrico) Nicholas, was born October 2, 1925, at Norfolk, Nebraska. Bill attended Washington Elementary School, and Norfolk Junior High School and Norfolk Senior High School. At the junior high school, his name was posted each and every time when the honor roll was reported. As a seventh grader, Bill earned the Kiwanis Award for Scholarship and Citizenship. In the eighth grade, he received two awards: from the Norfolk American Legion, the Scholarship and Citizenship Award, and from the faculty of the Junior High (with Marvin Papstein), the award for All-Around Athletic Participation and Sportsmanship. At the Senior High School, Bill earned letters in football and track. He again made the honor roll each time it was reported. Several times he served as a class officer. During the summers, Bill participated in the American Legion Baseball Program, and even found time to “set pins” at the Birkholtz Bowling Alley.
In the fall of 1943, Bill dropped out of high school and volunteered for the United States Marine Corps. He experienced his boot camp training at San Diego. Further training came at Tent Camp #1 at Camp Pendleton, and on the Hawaiian Islands. During all of this time, the Marines lived in tents or on the ground. And with no electricity! But, via correspondence, Bill continued studying for a high school diploma.
Bill went on to serve in one area of combat…Iwo Jima. There, he was wounded two times. Among his ribbons and medals, he received the Purple Heart, a Gold Star in lieu of a second Purple Heart, Marine Combat Action, Presidential Unit citation, Navy Unit of Commendation, Asiatic Pacific, Good Conduct, and a WWII Victory Medal. While on the island, Bill received a personal letter from Allen P. Burkhart…Superintendent of Schools, granting him his diploma and membership into the National Honor Society.
After accepting his medical discharge in San Francisco, Bill hitch-hiked back home to Norfolk, where he enrolled in what was then known as the Norfolk Junior College. During this time, he married Janice A. Brandenburg on February 16, 1947, in Norfolk. In 1948, Bill transferred to Kearney State College. There, he received his BA Degree in mathematics and secondary education. Several years later, in 1956, Bill earned his MA Degree from the University of South Dakota in secondary school administration. While attending USD, he was a Phi Delta Kappa. During his years in education in Iowa, Bill was a member of the Iowa Secondary School Principal Association and the National Secondary School Principals Association. He also earned from the Academy of American Educators recognition as a National Educator. Bill also worked with the School Mathematics Study Groups and conducted procedures for the teaching of mathematics. He also found time to be a National Red Cross Water Safety instructor and earned credits towards a Specialist degree in the curricula of mathematics during his summer days.
In 1978, Bill returned to teach and coach at the Norfolk Junior High School. He retired at the end of the school year in 1988. It was then that Bill returned to Guam and Iwo Jima for special days to visit this area. Then came the making and filming of the documentary, The Boys of “H” Company in Norfolk, Virginia. Also in his retirement years, Bill received an award from the Norfolk Junior College as a successful alumnus, a 50 year medal for the 50th anniversary of the battle for Iwo Jima, a medal of gratitude from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and from the Non-Commissioned Officers Association, a medallion and ribbon for his WWII service.
Bill was a life-member of the American Legion, the VFW, the DAV, the MOPH, and the 5th Marine Division Association. He gave countless volunteer hours to the Senior Center, Funeral Honor Guard, Norfolk Veterans Home, and to the Orphan Grain Train. Bill found much joy in his family, golfing, bowling, fishing, boating, and playing poker. His motto in life was “The work you do is the rent you pay for the space you take up on earth”.
Bill is survived by his wife of over 67 years, Janice Nicholas of Norfolk, Nebraska; son, Greg (wife Sharon) Nicholas of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; daughter, Jan B. of Aurora, Colorado; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Betty Papstein of Norfolk, Nebraska.