All great stories have beginnings, middles, and ends. Countless books on the homemade shelves of a personal library all follow the same pattern, as did the life of their reader. William “Bill” Nichols passed away peacefully on May 26, 2025 surrounded by his family, this is his story.

Bill was born in Boise, on July 13, 1955 to Bethene Nichols (later Pulliam) and William Nichols, who later divorced. Bill was a great lover of books, knowledge, family, God and the Oregon Ducks.  During his childhood, Bill spent a lot of time with his grandparents, Frank and Mary McNealy. They taught him how to use hand tools, and taught him how to fish, nourishing his love for the outdoors.  When Bill turned six, he approved the marriage of his mother to Mel Pulliam. Mel was a steadfast stepfather and engaged Bill in the pursuit of bird hunting. Bill and Mel would frequently take off in the morning to chase pheasants in rural Idaho. In 1972, the family moved to Burns. Mel owned a car dealership, and Bill was employed in many facets of the business.  Most memorable was as a car detailer. Bill was required to get up early at 5 a.m., and wash all the cars on the lot beginning with the new cars then the used cars.  One cold morning, Bill couldn’t get the door open to the dealership.  He returned home and not wanting to wake Mel, he returned to bed for a short sleep. Upon waking and finding Bill in bed, Mel fired him. Then summarily woke him up and sent him to the dealership to get to work. So yes, Bill was hired and fired in the same hour.

Bill spent his senior year of high school in Burns, graduating from Burns Union High School in 1973. Bill was a gifted student and challenged himself academically. He was the only student to correctly guess the mummified fish species in Biology.  But perhaps his most prized accolade was winning his region’s “Betty Crocker Homemakers of Tomorrow” competition, despite his best efforts to lose. Bill graduated at the top of his class.  

The summer after graduation Bill took a job working for the mill. He worked in the woods as a choker setter, against the wishes of his mother. Bill worked hard that summer and learned a lot. Bill went on to attend Linfield College, where he excelled and graduated with a B.A. (Magna cum Laude) degree in Business Administration and Political Science in 1977. Post Baccalaureate, Bill attended the University of Oregon School of Law where one can assume his love for the Ducks was sparked. Upon his graduation in 1980, Bill moved to Nyssa, and began his career as an Attorney, Bill worked for 40 years in law in various capacities, most recently at White Peterson in Nampa. Bill found that the best part of the practice of law was when he helped people find peace of mind that comes from care in estate planning.  For him there was no greater privilege than to work with families to get to understand their individual personalities and challenges and help plan how they would leave their unique legacy to the next generation.

Bill was an avid consumer of niche British television, history, and homemade ice cream.  An avid researcher, Bill followed Mel’s historical journey through WWII. He found that Mel had not received several medals he was entitled to. Bill wrote the Departments of Defense in the US, France, and Belgium, persevering through layers of bureaucracy until the medals were provided.  He was known for his quick wit, quiet competitive drive and devotion to God and family. Most importantly Bill was a genuine and caring husband, father, brother, and friend. He was greatly loved and will be missed by many. 

Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Bethene; father, William; and stepfather, Mel. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Pam; daughters, Kelsey and Cami; his Italian daughter, Shasa; his brother, J, and his wife Marjorie; sister, Terry, and her husband Ken; his three grandsons, Eli, Malachi, and John; and many nieces and nephews. 

At his request he will be cremated and interred at the Emmet Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at College Church of the Nazarene, 504 E. Dewey Ave., Nampa, Idaho, 83686, on Thursday July 17, 2025 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Bills honor/memory to Safe Place Ministries, 723 N. Mitchell St., Ste 101, Boise Idaho 83704 or via www.safeplaceministries.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Potter Funeral Chapel.