Mr. Donald Nichols

- Donald Charles Nichols, age 68, of Gary, IN, formerly of Philadelphia, PA, and Savannah, GA, passed away peacefully August 20. 2012. A 1961 graduate of Alfred E. Beach High School in Savannah, Nick was a veteran of U.S. Air Force, a 33-year retired Inland Steel worker, a former Board of Directors member of the Inland Steel Credit Union, and one of the first African Americans to be elected to that position. At the mill, he worked as a turn foreman and a caster operator. He was also a real estate broker at Stanson Realty. He had a love for sports, especially the Chicago Bears. Nick's hobbies included gardening, cooking and grilling specialty meats. An avid hunter and fisherman, Nick belonged to the Wild Game Club, but also spent time tinkering with and repairing lawn mowers and other small engines. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Altermease Nichols, two sisters, Joann Crosson, Janet Ruffin, his eldest brother, Clarence Williams, Sr., and his beloved father-in-law, Julius Tillotson. Always considered the leader of his family, Nick leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 38 years, Evelyn Diane Nichols; sisters, Alice Nichols Brown (Richard) of Savannah, GA, Gwendolyn Nichols of Philadelphia, PA; brothers, Charles Nichols of Philadelphia, Joseph Nichols Mobley (Brenda) of Savannah; brothers-in-law, Spencer Tillotson (Patricia) and Julius Glenn Tillotson of Baton Rouge, LA; and sisters-in-law, Daphne Williams of Savannah, GA, Cynthia Dominick (Robert) of Crowley, LA, Judy Cherry of Gary, IN, Lynette Heatley of Baton Rouge, LA; mother-in-law, Sophia Tillotson of Prairieville, LA; maternal uncle, Deacon Andrew Williams and a devoted cousin, Eleanor Murdock of Savannah, GA; his life-long friend, Charles Hartwell of Savannah, GA; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends.

Celebration of Life for Donald Charles Nichols will be held 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, August 29, 2012 in the Chapel of Adams Funeral Services, Inc. Interment: Beaufort National Cemetery.