Paul William Nimis

In Loving Memory of Paul William Nimis

February 3, 1944 - September 3, 2025

With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Paul William Nimis, age 81, of St. Paul, Minnesota, on September 3, 2025. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and true original, Paul lived a life shaped by curiosity, ingenuity, and a deep love for family.

Born in St. Paul on February 3, 1944, to Paul and Hazel (Johnson) Nimis, Paul's spirit of adventure and entrepreneurial drive were evident from a young age. In the late 1960s, he purchased Phalen Rack and Cue in the Phalen Shopping Center, a local pool hall that would become the foundation of a lifelong journey in business.

Always ahead of the curve, Paul expanded his ventures to selling and eventually manufacturing pool tables. Long before video rental stores were a trend, he introduced video rentals to the pool hall, making it a neighborhood staple for fun and connection.

At the same time, Paul found joy at the racetrack, racing hobby stock cars at Elko Speedway and Raceway Park. While he didn't take home many trophies, the memories made with his children at the track became cherished cornerstones of their childhood and passed down a lifelong passion for racing.

When the lease at Phalen Shopping Center ended in the early 1980s, Paul embraced a new path: founding the National Chevy Association, specializing in parts and accessories for 1953 and 1954 Chevrolet models. What began as a niche business grew into a thriving enterprise that eventually expanded to include parts for 1949 - 1954 Chevrolets. With a keen eye for detail, Paul even developed and patented a polycarbonate gas tank.

He was a fixture at classic car shows across the Midwest, including over 25 years at Back to the 50's, and he maintained a 30-acre property in Hinckley, Minnesota, lovingly dubbed his personal Chevy junkyard, where vintage treasures found a second life.

Paul's weekends were often spent treasure hunting at auctions, hauling home antiques and boats to the loving exasperation of his wife, Sharon. A blackjack enthusiast, he traveled to Las Vegas for professional tournaments and enjoyed countless games (and wins) across Minnesota and Wisconsin. He also loved to fish, travel with family, and tinker in his garage. Whether it was cars, boats, or tractors, he was always fixing, restoring, or inventing something new.

Above all, Paul was a family man. He shared 62 beautiful years of marriage with Sharon Nimis, his steadfast partner in life and adventure. Together, they raised two children, spent weekends at racetracks, traveled to Wisconsin Dells, NASCAR races, and Las Vegas, and built a lifetime of memories.

Paul was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sharon Nimis, and his sister, Mary (Leonard) Noack. He is survived by his loving children, Sherri Friedrich and Jeff (Jennifer) Nimis; his cherished grandchildren, Alyssa (Jonathan) Hansen, Carly (Zachary Pulsifer) Friedrich, and Andy Nimis; and his great-granddaughter, Ellie Hansen, the youngest light in a long line of love.

A celebration of Paul's life will be held on September 11, 2025, at Willwerscheid Funeral Home (1167 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105). Visitation begins at 11:00 AM, followed by a service at 12:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the MSRA Scholarship Foundation

(Mailed to: MSRA Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 13577, Roseville, MN 55113).