William (Bill) Harper Nicks, Sr., passed away with his family at his side in Shawnee on October 27, 2014. Bill was born on November 18, 1922, to Elizabeth and Ben Nicks. He was a member from a young age, of St. Joseph Catholic Church and attended both the grade school and high school. He married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Baier, on October 6, 1945 who preceded him in death on September 5, 2014. Together they raised 8 children in Shawnee.

Bill was a lifelong Shawnee resident and a 36 yr. employee of TWA Airlines. He was an avid sports fan, most especially following The Royals, Chiefs, NAIA Basketball, in addition to St. Joseph/Aquinas High School he followed all of his grandchildren's high school teams and college sports.

He was a decorated B-17 bombardier in WWII, receiving the Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. He flew 26 missions in Europe, was shot down, spent 47 days in the hospital, returned to action and was preparing to be re-assigned to the Pacific when the war ended.

With the support of Barbara he was active in the Knights of Columbus, serving as a Past Grand Knight and Past District Deputy, the VFW, American Legion, Shawnee Chamber of Commerce, St. Joseph Parish Council, St. Joseph School Board and youth sports.

Bill joins his wife Barbara, his parents, his sister Ellen, his daughter-in-law Becky and his great grandson Lucas in Heaven. Bill is survived by his eight children, Anne Crisp, Concord, California; Ellen Rajdl-Villella (Vinny), Wading River, New York; Bill Nicks, Jr. (Marci), Lenexa, Kansas; Daniel Nicks, Shawnee, Kansas; Susan Bishop (Jim), Bonner Springs, Kansas; Patti Beaver (Joel), Olathe, Kansas; David Nicks (Tami), Leavenworth, Kansas; Mary Jane Male (Bill), Shawnee, Kansas; 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; brother Ben Nicks, Shawnee Kansas, sister-in-law Mary Anne Baier, Kansas City, Missouri, cousin Elaine Galliart, Olathe, Kansas and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bill took great joy from his family and leaves his family and friends with many wonderful memories. He will be greatly missed.

The family would like to thank the staff at Sweet Life at Rosehill and Brookdale Hospice for the wonderful care Bill received.

Visitation and Funeral Service

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 30, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, where a Rosary will be recited at 5:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 31, 2014, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Shawnee, Kansas.

Memorial Contributions

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Bill’s memory to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 5901 Flint, Shawnee, Kansas 66203.