Wesley Nicholas

With his usual courage, acceptance and integrity, our husband, father, and grandfather left this world on December 1, 2017 for his heavenly home after a valiant struggle with MS. He was born Wesley Bernard Nicholas, son of proud parents, Joe and Isadora (Mees) Nicholas on December 30, 1946, in Billings, Montana. He graduated from Laurel High School in 1965, having served his community well by delivering papers, serving as DeMolay Master Councilor and playing trumpet in Montana’s Centennial Band. He took great pride in marching in the Rose Parade and playing in various cities around the country. Keeping with family tradition, he also earned his pilot’s license.

Wes married Barbara Shipp in 1968, then graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from Montana State University and began his 27-year career as a manufacturing engineer for Western Electric/AT&T in Omaha, Nebraska. He was a member of the Army Reserves, an active church member, and a lifelong Gideon. Wes could fix almost anything, and he used his many skills to help others. In 1999, Wes and Barbara moved back to their hometown of Laurel, Montana, and in recent years settled in Lewisburg, Tennessee, to be closer to their children.

Wes is survived by his wife of 49 years, Barbara (Shipp) Nicholas; children, Mark (Molly) Nicholas, Michael (Jennifer) Nicholas, and Wendy (Chris) Knight; and grandchildren, Victor, Laurel, Finley, Joe, Zivah, Robert, and Reanna.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at Lawrence Funeral Home in Chapel Hill, TN. Burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Billings, Montana, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Gideons International, P. O. Box 1664 Lewisburg, TN 37091 or www.gideons.org