Wallace Patrick Nichols

Wallace Patrick Nichols was born in Fort White, Florida on April 13, 1925 to Charlie and Mary Nichols who were blessed with seven children. Wallace was the youngest of five boys with two younger sisters to follow.

After graduating high school in the spring of 1944, he entered the US Army to serve in WW II He served our country in the 95th Infantry Division & the 379th Regiment, Company L. He received two Purple Hearts, one of which was after being wounded at the Adolf Hitler Bridge on the Rhine River.

Wallace then returned to the states in the summer of 1946. Shortly thereafter, he came to visit his oldest brother Lenos in Clarkesville. Here, he fell in love with Rachel Margaret Hames. In May of 1947 they were married at Clarkesville First United Methodist Church and became lifelong members.

He and his brother started an appliance store together, he was in the service station business , drove a school bus, was a volunteer fireman, active in scouting, and found his real passion in the grading business. During this time they raised three children, David, Robert and Susan. Much of the work was found in and around Clarkesville & Lake Burton.

In 1972, the family became owners of LaPrade's on Lake Burton, which they operated until 2002. He had a great love for the people, the community, the land, and the lake. For the last ten years he has lived in Clarkesville and enjoyed going out daily to supervise the grading construction projects.

Wallace was an inventor, visionary, businessman, and family man. He took great pride in a job well done. His warm smile, his quiet calm, his caring and patient ways will be missed and always remembered.

Mr. Nichols is preceded in death by his parents Charlie and Mary Patrick Nichols, wife Rachel Hames Nichols, brothers Lenos, Roy, Alvin, and J.C. Nichols, and sister Lucille Nichols Brown.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law David P. and Ann Church Nichols of Conyers, GA and Robert H. and Mary Godfrey Nichols of Gainesville, GA, daughter and son-in-law Susan Nichols and Danny Joslin of Demorest, GA, grandchildren Dr. Jarrod Barnes and Jennifer Nichols Barnes of Cleveland Heights , OH, Ashley Nichols of Flowery Branch, GA, and Nikolas, Alekzander and Kara Joslin of Demorest, GA, great grandchildren Lola and Celia Barnes of Cleveland Heights, OH, and sister Louise Nichols Luz of Inverness, FL.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 13, 2012, at 11:00 AM from the Clarkesville United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Thursday, July 12, 2012.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Clarkesville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 365, Clarkesville, GA 30523.

Those wishing may send condolences at www.hillsidememorialchapel.com.

Arrangements by Hillside Memorial Chapel, Clarkesville, GA. 706-754-6256.