William Osles Nichols, 88, of West Fork, AR was born February 23, 1937 and died May 3, 2025. He was born in Attica, AR, the ninth of eleven children to Arvil and Edna Nichols.

He spent most of his childhood in Pocahontas, AR, and at the age of 18 he moved to San Diego, CA to join the Navy. While in the Navy, he lived in Japan, Hawaii and California. He always said that he got to see some beautiful places and had a lot of fun during that time. In the Navy he was an Airman and his main job was fueling airplanes. He served from 1955 to 1961. In 1957 through some friends he met the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, Elizabeth Fay Diffey from Gilbert, AZ. While stationed in San Diego he would hitchhike to Gilbert to see her every chance he could. After only six months he knew he had found the love of his life. Before his passing, he told us she was an angel sent from heaven for him to take care of. That is why he was put on this earth. They were married April 6, 1958 in Mesa, AZ. Their love was something out of a fairytale. There was never a cross word between the two of them. They worked out their problems at the time without conflict. Over the span of 18 years they had five children and lived in California and Arizona until 1975 when they moved to Springdale, AR. He lived there with his wife and kids for about eleven years until he moved to West Fork, AR for good.

During these years he worked as a mechanic until he wasn’t physically able to do so. That was when he started working at the Springdale Public Schools in their maintenance department until he retired. He loved to play the guitar and dance. There were many nights he would be sitting on the couch playing while mom danced around the living room. He made sure our home was happy and full of love and joy. He spent lots of time with his family taking us on camping trips, fishing, and vacations. Even when things were tight, we would just go on Sunday drives, play card games or just spend time together. He always made sure his family’s needs were met before his own. We never felt like we went without or wished we had more. Family was important to him and love was never in short supply. He was overjoyed when each grandchild and great-grandchild was born and was a part of their lives just as much. He was also funny, ornery and honest. Don’t let me fool you, he would tell you what was on his mind and would get aggravated when he didn’t think you were listening. He lived his life his way and you couldn’t change his mind. You couldn’t have asked for a better husband, father, or grandfather. He came from a terrible childhood with neglect and abuse. He rose above that and created a loving home with a tight bond. We have lost our hero and our rock. He knew how much he was loved and we knew how much he loved us. He was a big believer of not just saying he loved us but showing it, too. He taught us so many things but what comes to mind right now is no matter how bad your situation is now, only you can change it and make it different. Only you can make light out of darkness. He was living proof that was possible.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Elizabeth (Diffey) Nichols of the home; 5 children, Mickey Nichols wife Judy, Tina (Nichols) Michael, Stephen Nichols and wife Alice, Ron Nichols and wife Lou Ann, and Misty Nichols; 17 grandchildren, Derek Nichols, Mikaya (Nichols) Boedeker, Aaron Michael, Peggy (Michael) Prince, Samantha Nichols, Joshua Nichols, Alisha (Wilder) Nye, Brandon Nichols, Kali (Nichols) Herrera, Courtland Vinson, Angel Vinson, Sunshine Vinson, Jasmine Vinson, Haley Sams, Austin Sams, Jayson Sams, and Aiden Sams; 10 great-grandchildren, Jada Nichols, Saige Boedeker, Korena Howard, Koby Nye, Xayah Herrera, Jeradyah Herrera, Maddie Herrera, Camden Nichols, Brayton Nichols, and Amara Sams; and many nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arvil Nichols and Edna (Grimes) Nichols; his siblings, James Nichols, Johnnie Nichols, Charlie Nichols, Columbus (Cob) Nichols, Louise (Nichols) Ellington, Evlien (Nichols) Swift, Eugene Nichols, Harold Nichols, Margaret (Nichols) Brown, and Mona “Bea” (Nichols) Usher; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 4-6 PM Thursday, May 8, 2025 at Beard’s Funeral Chapel.

Funeral services will be 12:30 PM Friday, May 9, 2025 at Beard’s Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow in the Fayetteville National Cemetery with military honors.