Col. Walton “Wally” Charles Nichols

March 30, 2013

Col. Walton “Wally” Charles Nichols, Jr. USAF, retired, 83, passed into the arms of his Heavenly Father on March 27, 2013. He was born November 17, 1929, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Walton Charles Nichols, Sr. and Geraldine Wright Nichols.

Walton proudly served his country in the US Air Force, enjoying a great career as a pilot, a base civil engineer at Traux Field, Madison, Wisconsin, and as commander of Volk Field Air National Guard Training Base, Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, where he received the Legion of Merit award in 1986 after retiring to New Mexico in 1985.

After the death of his first wife, Rosemary, 1980, Wally met and married Myrtle Anne Paul and after several moves, they settled in Pensacola in 1993. Together they enjoyed traveling and serving Christ where mission needs arose.

Walton, known to his friends as “Wally”, was a man of joy, very fun loving—making others laugh so easily with his jovial spirit. He loved the Lord Jesus and was a faithful servant at Pine Summit Baptist Church, Pensacola, serving on the mission team and singing in the celebration choir until his health prevented him from participating. He was an avid golfer with his sons and friends and a staunch Green Bay Packers fan.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Rosemary. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Anne, and his seven children: Trina (Steve) Falk, Ankeny, IA, John (Claudette) Nichols, Apple Valley, MN, Dan (Gail)) Nichols, Kansas City, MO, Rick (Mary Ann) Nichols, Stillwater, MN, Stacie (Pat) O’Leary, Mendora Heights, MN, Pete (Dori) Nichols, Albuquerque, NM and Tom (Jennifer) Nichols, Delafield, WI. He is also survived by 28 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and three brothers; Robert (Dennie) Nichols, Green Bay, WI, Richard (Diane) Nichols, Albuquerque, NM; and David (Karen) Nichols, Greenville, SC. He shared Anne’s family as though they were his own; Sam (Charlene) Hurlbut, Pensacola; Leslie Hurlbut, Biloxi, MS; and Melissa (Jeff) Brock, West Seneca, NY; and Anne’s seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Florida Baptist Children’s Home, 1000 Chemstrand Road, Cantonment, FL 32533.

Visitation will be held Saturday, March 30, 2013, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. with funeral service at 11 a.m. at Pine Summit Baptist Church.

A funeral will also be conducted at a later date in Madison, Wisconsin, with Joyce-Ryan Funeral Home conducting.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries