William W. Nickerson

NICKERSON WILLIAM W. NICKERSON (Age 66) Of Washington, DC, died Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at John's Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He was born May 13, 1944, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, to Ethel Watkins Nickerson. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts where he was a Troy Fellow, BA, 1969, and the Washington College of Law, American University, J.D. 1980. He served in the United States Army as a military intelligence officer in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged and received the Purple Heart. He began his professional career as an investigator with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Additional public service appointments included; Special Advisor to the New York City Police Department, Penal Commissioner for the City of Boston, and Director of the National Technical Assistance Project of the Justice Department's Law Enforcement Assistance Administration. He continued his public service by serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of the Treasury from 1979 through 1981. He was responsible for the operational oversight and policy for the United States Customs Service, the United States Secret Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the development of overall Treasury enforcement policies. He was a principal advisor to the Secretary on matters concerning the Bank Secrecy Act, narcotics interdiction, foreign assets controls, embargoes, and other national security matters, including the seizure of Iranian assets in 1980. In addition to his Government Service, Mr. Nickerson maintained a private law practice in Washington, DC for many years. He was a true patriot who loved his country. He was an active member of the community, including reading to D.C. public school children as a mentor for Everybody Wins and his continued advocacy for all four legged friends, through the ASPCA. He is survived by his son, Christopher and his brother, Walter. He also leaves his beloved dog, Jack. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m., on Saturday, January 29, at St. Matthews Cathedral in Washington, DC. Donations in his honor can be made to the ASPCA and to Catholic Charities. "The only man who makes no mistakes is the man who never does anything." Theodore Roosevelt.Theodore Roosevelt.