Jim Billy Nichols, 69

MIDDLETOWN - Jim Billy Nichols, of Middletown, passed away Saturday, June 14, 2008, at Christiana Health Care Center, Wilmington Hospital, Wilmington. He was 69.

Born Nov. 17, 1938, in Stillwell, Okla., he was the son of the late John and Johnann (Lucas) Nichols.

Jim served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a truck driver most of his life.

He loved being around his family.

Growing up with four brothers and a sister, they had great times racing stock cars as teenagers.

Jim and his siblings raised their families near each other so all his children and their many cousins also grew up together.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara K. "Bobbie" Nichols, on Oct. 3, 1999; and two brothers, James Nichols and Claude Nichols, both of California.

He is survived by three daughters, Jenna Brown and her husband Bob, and grandchildren, Pete and Becky of Maine, Christina Clay and grandson, Chance, of Florida, and Vickie Nichols and her husband, Jonas, and grandson, Eric, of Maryland; four stepdaughters, Elana Jackson and her husband Stephen Gwin, and grandchildren Robbie and Katie of Middletown, Tracy Geiger and grandson Jason of Washington, and Michelle Knudsen and Brenda Rowe, both of Oregon; siblings, Ben Nichols and his wife Shirley, Albert Nichols and his wife Pauline, both of California, and Mary Parker of Oklahoma; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Services will be private.

Interment will be Eureka Cemetery in Newport, Ore.

Arrangements by Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home, Middletown.