BILL NICHOLSON obituary

Bill S. Nicholson, 74, a retired car man for the Burlington Northern Railway in Havre, died of natural causes Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005, at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service for family and friends will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at First Lutheran Church.

Bill was born in Birch Tree, Mo., on April 14, 1931. He graduated from Birch Tree High School in 1947. He then worked in construction before moving to Chinook in 1949, where he married and had two children. In 1953, he joined the Army and served overseas until 1955, when he returned to Havre and worked for the railroad until his retirement in 1992.

Bill was a member of First Lutheran Church and the Eagles. Over the years, he enjoyed softball and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed reading western novels, watching oldtime westerns on TV and dancing. He especially cherished his time with his family and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, John and Jesse Nicholson; brother, Chet Nicholson; and wife, Jan Nicholson.

Survivors include his wife, Arletta; children, Kathy (Greg) Hodgins of Vancouver, Wash., Sherri (Gary) Schlachter of Billings and Michael Nicholson of Havre; stepchildren, Donna (Doug) Fahlgren of Billings, Sharon (Nick) Siebrasse of Havre, John (Alida) Olson of Houston, Joan (John) Reilly of Sheridan and Janet Dryden of Havre; brothers, Paul (Darlene) of Billings, John (Myrna) Nicholson of Shelby; sisters, Alice (Paul) Green of Cut Bank and Barb (Richard) Letang of Great Falls; two grandchildren; 12 stepgrandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; brothers-in-law, Gary (Beverly) Jensen of Chester and Carmen (Julane) Jensen of Chester; sister-in-law, Marilynn (Lyle) Whelchel of Albuquerque, N.M.; and mother-in-law, Edris Jensen of Chester.

Arrangements are by Croxford and Sons Funeral Home of Great Falls.