William E. "Bill" Nicholas

William "Bill" E. Nicholas, 89, of Wilkes-Barre passed away peacefully Friday, Sept. 25, 2015, at Little Flower Manor, Wilkes-Barre.

Born in Lock Haven on Aug. 5, 1926, he was a son of the late Raymond and Willimina Heller Nicholas. He graduated from Lock Haven Senior High School in June 1944.

Bill proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as an airplane engine mechanic from 1943 to 1947.

Bill was employed by the Bell Telephone Co. of Pennsylvania for 37 years and retired as a facilities manager in 1985. He belonged to the Telephone Pioneers of America and served as president.

Bill was a member of Plains American Legion Post 558 for more than 25 years.

He was an accomplished carver of ducks and birds and was a member and president of the Keystone Carvers Club. Bill belonged to Church of Christ Uniting, Kingston. Bill was a loving father and grandfather.

Bill recently resided at the St. Therese Residence, Wilkes-Barre.

He was preceded in death by his former wife, Fay Elder Nicholas.

Bill is survived by his longtime friend and devoted companion, Bertha Stoiber; his loving daughters, Kay (Robert) Schaffer, Sue (Carl) Johnston and Jan (William) Treadwell; grandchildren, Lydia and Clint Johnston; brother, Jim (Maxine) Nicholas; nephew, Keith (Lisa) Nicholas and their children, Kristie and Brenton.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a viewing at 10 a.m. Friday at Kniffen O'Malley Funeral Home, 465 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, with a service to follow at 11 a.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Dr. Carol Ann Fleming, of Church of Christ Uniting, Kingston. Interment will be at the convenience of the family in Chapel Lawn Memorial Park, Dallas.

Online condolences may be left for the family at kniffenfuneralhome.com.