William “Bill” Nickelson

William “Bill” Nickelson, age 97 of Ludington left this beautiful earth on Tuesday November 22, 2016.
Bill was born on October 1, 1919, son of the late Emil and Ellen (Christensen) in the old farm house above the beautiful Lincoln River in Ludington. Bill married Sylvia Benson on August 21, 1943 at Bethany Methodist Church of Ludington.
Bill is survived by his two sons: William (Cely) Nickelson Jr. and James (Beth) Nickelson; daughter: Nancy (Jimmy) Pakulak; sister: Gladys Kilgore. He also leaves behind a legacy of six beloved grandchildren: John, Paul, David, Benjamin (Charlotte), and Mathew Nickelson and Kristen Pakulak; four great-grandchildren: Preston, Mason, Mia and Natalie Nickelson and numerous nieces and nephews. Bill also leaves behind several, very special, lifelong friends and loyal people that worked by his side in the tree and nursery industry.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife and love of his life, Sylvia; beloved granddaughter, Kimberly; sister, Ellen Speer; brothers, Harry and Howard Nickelson and Archie Paul.
Bill worked for over 60 years as a Christmas tree farmer and nurseryman, starting at Needlefast Evergreens in Ludington in 1955. He retired in 2005. Bill was very proud of his Danish heritage. Bill cherished his wonderful family and considered everyone that touched his life to be a friend. He was a member of Hospice, the Salvation Army, Ludington School Board, Planning and Zoning Board, Intermediate School Board and many other organizations. He also coached boy’s grade school baseball and basketball. Bill was a devoted member of Bethany Methodist and United Methodist Churches.
Special to him was his thirty plus years of working with the Junior and Senior High youth. Bill loved his sports and enjoyed fishing, softball, golf, tennis, downhill skiing and water skiing. He was also an avid University of Michigan Football fan.
Funeral services for Bill will be held at 11:00AM on Monday November 28, 2016 at the United Methodist Church of Ludington with Reverend Norman Letsinger officiating. The family will receive friends for visitation from 5:00 to 7:00PM on Sunday, November 27, 2016 at Oak Grove Funeral Home in Ludington. Cremation will follow and a final interment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery in Ludington.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Bill may be directed to the United Methodist Church of Ludington or Hospice of Michigan. Please feel free to share a memory or photo with Bill’s family at www.oakgrovefh.com.
The family has entrusted funeral arrangements with Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center of Ludington.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William "Bill" Nickelson, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.