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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of William C. "Bill" Nichols of Decatur, who
4passed away on April 21, 2012; and
 
5    WHEREAS, He was born October 2, 1927 in Baxter Springs,
6Kansas, the son of Claude and Beulah (Goff) Nichols; he felt
7God's call to ministry when he was a sophomore in high school
8and was ordained on August 1, 1948; and
 
9    WHEREAS, He received his education from Culver Stockton,
10Phillips University Seminary, and the University of Chicago; he
11also received honorary degrees from Phillips University,
12Eureka College, Bethany College, and Chapman University; he
13gave named lectureships at several universities and
14seminaries; he was an Honorary Life Member of Phi Kappa Phi
15from Millikin University; he was elected to membership in the
16Theological Society for Faith and Reason and was listed in
17"Who's Who in America"; and
 
18    WHEREAS, During his ministry he served the First Christian
19Church in Poteau, Oklahoma, the First Christian Church in
20Augusta, Kansas, and Central Christian Church in Kansas City,
21Kansas; in 1973, he moved to Decatur, where he served as Senior
22Minister at Central Christian Church for 19 years; in 1991, he

 

 

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1was elected to serve a term as General Minister and President
2of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United
3States and Canada; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Following his term as head of the denomination, he
5was called to serve as Senior Minster of National City
6Christian Church in Washington, D.C. for a 2-year term; and
 
7    WHEREAS, He traveled extensively and was frequently called
8upon to represent the church in religious gatherings around the
9world; he preached and lectured in Canada, Nova Scotia, China,
10Cuba, Puerto Rico, several European nations, and Australia,
11where he preached for a month all over the country; he was
12elected Pastoral Counselor for the National Organization of
13Disciple Men at the opening night of "Session 76"; and
 
14    WHEREAS, He served on boards which he often chaired for
15many church organizations: the Division of Global Missions,
16Homeland Ministries, the Council on Christian Unity, Church
17Extension, Higher Education, the National Benevolent
18Association, the Bilateral Council of American and Puerto Rican
19Churches, Colorado Christian Home, Kansas Christian Home, the
20Illinois Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches,
21Kansas Churches, and the Disciples Historical Society; and
 
22    WHEREAS, He was a founding board member of Decatur

 

 

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1Advantage and chaired the Quality of Life Task Force for 8
2years; in this role, he became the Founding Father of the
3Decatur Celebration; every Sunday for 18 years, he broadcast a
4radio ministry on WSOY called "Good News from Central"; he
5served as board member or officer of many community boards as
6well, such as the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Kansas City, the
7Salvation Army, the Red Cross, St. Mary's Hospital, the Macon
8County Mental Health Association, and the Decatur Area Arts
9Council; and
 
10    WHEREAS, He was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary
11International; with his friend, Howard Brown, he co-founded the
12ROMEO Men's Club; he was blessed with a warm personal
13relationship with Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa,
14Bishop Shen of China, and other world leaders; and
 
15    WHEREAS, He was a prolific writer, having published many
16articles, journals, and curricular materials; his interest in
17writing began in college where he was awarded the Vachel
18Lindsay Poetry Award; he authored 7 books; his last published
19work was an intriguing mystery, "If Gold Shall Rust"; and
 
20    WHEREAS, He enjoyed music and played the piano beautifully;
21he composed 2 sacred anthems, one sacred solo, and one jazz
22"torch" song; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, He maintained that his smartest decision was to
2marry Claudine Shewmake in Baxter Springs, Kansas in 1945; and
 
3    WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents; and his
4brother, Robert; and
 
5    WHEREAS, William Nichols is survived by his wife, Claudine;
6his son, David Nichols; his daughter Claudia Quigg; his
7daughter-in-law, Carol Nichols; his son-in-law Leo Quigg; his
8grandchildren, Maggie Nichols, Jesse Nichols (Jenny), Betsy
9Osman (Aaron), Michala Lynn (Adam), Sally McLemore (Nick), Noah
10Nichols, and Benjamin Quigg; and his great-grandchildren,
11Christian Bettis, Isabella Wagener, Charles Wagener, Mason
12Lynn, Reef Nichols, Lauren McLemore, Jane Osman, and Joslin
13McLemore; therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL
15ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
16his family and friends, the passing of William Nichols; and be
17it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19presented to the family of William Nichols as a symbol of our
20sincere sympathy.