BILLY MAC NICHOLS, 83, passed away peacefully into
the loving arms of our Heavenly Father on Dec. 9,
2019 from pancreatic cancer.
Billy was born Jan. 26, 1936 in Ranger, TX to William
Clinton (RHS-1923) & Hoyet Nichols (RHS-1929). He
attended Ranger High School in the Class of 1954,
the University of Texas, and then chose to serve his
country in the U.S. Army mechanical engineering field.
In addition, he was awarded with the Marksmanship Medal.
Billy Mac married his sweetheart, Sue Garrett (RHS-1957)
just two days before Christmas in 1958. They embarked
on the adventure of a lifetime driving to Anchorage,
Alaska with a 7-week-old baby and continuing to serve
in the Army. As a civilian he continued in the field of
mechanical engineering for over 40 yrs. always curious
and engaged in solving problems while simultaneously
gaining the respect of those who had the pleasure to
work with him.
A unique claim to fame is his copious collection of
"Mystery Gadgets" that he carefully sought from antique
stores all over the country. Billy Mac literally never
met a stranger and was ready with a gadget in his pocket
to ask, "Do you know what this is?" We have suitcases
full of his treasured gadgets and hearts full of memories
of the stories he loved to tell. And by far one of the
most entertaining things he did was serenade others with
his nose flute. He was always ready with a colorful nose
flute in his pocket to play various songs such as Happy
Birthday and Pomp and Circumstance. Poppa/Grandpa Mac
was the best! Always ready to play horsey on the floor,
a book, explain the history of his mystery gadget or just
love on the grand-kids he adored. Amazingly, Billy Mac
was able to keep his sharpshooting skills his whole life
and received the highest score in his Concealed Carry
Licenses at 83 years young! Overarching all of this
the fact that he was a serious student of the Word of
God, and a lifelong faithful church member who served
sacrificially, loving missions and happy spreading God's
Truth. He lived a life that makes others want to emulate.
Billy Mac is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years,
Sue Nichols. A dearly loved father of Kelly Nichols, Kim
(Kevin) Abbrat, and Jeff (Nicole) Nichols. An adored
Poppa/Grandpa of Kelsey (Caleb) Prather, Kaleb Abbrat,
Konner Abbrat, Kristianna Abbrat, Zachary Nichols, Elena
Nichols. And a doting sister Barbara Nichols (RHS-1956)
(Howard) McPherson, as well as many nieces, nephews,
cousins and lifetime friends.