SR0734 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0734 LRB097 21270 KXB 68951 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of William C. "Bill" Nichols of Decatur, who passed away on April 21, 2012; and

WHEREAS, He was born October 2, 1927 in Baxter Springs, Kansas, the son of Claude and Beulah (Goff) Nichols; he felt God's call to ministry when he was a sophomore in high school and was ordained on August 1, 1948; and

WHEREAS, He received his education from Culver Stockton, Phillips University Seminary, and the University of Chicago; he also received honorary degrees from Phillips University, Eureka College, Bethany College, and Chapman University; he gave named lectureships at several universities and seminaries; he was an Honorary Life Member of Phi Kappa Phi from Millikin University; he was elected to membership in the Theological Society for Faith and Reason and was listed in "Who's Who in America"; and

WHEREAS, During his ministry he served the First Christian Church in Poteau, Oklahoma, the First Christian Church in Augusta, Kansas, and Central Christian Church in Kansas City, Kansas; in 1973, he moved to Decatur, where he served as Senior Minister at Central Christian Church for 19 years; in 1991, he was elected to serve a term as General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada; and

WHEREAS, Following his term as head of the denomination, he was called to serve as Senior Minster of National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C. for a 2-year term; and

WHEREAS, He traveled extensively and was frequently called upon to represent the church in religious gatherings around the world; he preached and lectured in Canada, Nova Scotia, China, Cuba, Puerto Rico, several European nations, and Australia, where he preached for a month all over the country; he was elected Pastoral Counselor for the National Organization of Disciple Men at the opening night of "Session 76"; and

WHEREAS, He served on boards which he often chaired for many church organizations: the Division of Global Missions, Homeland Ministries, the Council on Christian Unity, Church Extension, Higher Education, the National Benevolent Association, the Bilateral Council of American and Puerto Rican Churches, Colorado Christian Home, Kansas Christian Home, the Illinois Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, Kansas Churches, and the Disciples Historical Society; and

WHEREAS, He was a founding board member of Decatur Advantage and chaired the Quality of Life Task Force for 8 years; in this role, he became the Founding Father of the Decatur Celebration; every Sunday for 18 years, he broadcast a radio ministry on WSOY called "Good News from Central"; he served as board member or officer of many community boards as well, such as the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Kansas City, the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, St. Mary's Hospital, the Macon County Mental Health Association, and the Decatur Area Arts Council; and

WHEREAS, He was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International; with his friend, Howard Brown, he co-founded the ROMEO Men's Club; he was blessed with a warm personal relationship with Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, Bishop Shen of China, and other world leaders; and

WHEREAS, He was a prolific writer, having published many articles, journals, and curricular materials; his interest in writing began in college where he was awarded the Vachel Lindsay Poetry Award; he authored 7 books; his last published work was an intriguing mystery, "If Gold Shall Rust"; and

WHEREAS, He enjoyed music and played the piano beautifully; he composed 2 sacred anthems, one sacred solo, and one jazz "torch" song; and

WHEREAS, He maintained that his smartest decision was to marry Claudine Shewmake in Baxter Springs, Kansas in 1945; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Robert; and

WHEREAS, William Nichols is survived by his wife, Claudine; his son, David Nichols; his daughter Claudia Quigg; his daughter-in-law, Carol Nichols; his son-in-law Leo Quigg; his grandchildren, Maggie Nichols, Jesse Nichols (Jenny), Betsy Osman (Aaron), Michala Lynn (Adam), Sally McLemore (Nick), Noah Nichols, and Benjamin Quigg; and his great-grandchildren, Christian Bettis, Isabella Wagener, Charles Wagener, Mason Lynn, Reef Nichols, Lauren McLemore, Jane Osman, and Joslin McLemore; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of William Nichols; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of William Nichols as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.