Obituary: Nuchols, William Dewey “Bill”
Age 82
NUCHOLS, William Dewey “Bill”
On March 23, 2016, William “Bill” Dewey Nuchols passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family.
He was 82.
After a valiant battle with viral encephalitis, Bill had in- sight on his path forward.
He communicated his final wishes and thoughts in a letter to his family: “I’m feeling like an old jalopy on its way to a junkyard where I’ll soon be compacted and then become steel.
Paradoxically, these are the happiest times of my life.”
Bill was born in Stockton, California on October 18, 1933.
He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War.
It was at this time that he met and married his wife Mary Ann.
Bill graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles.
The day after his graduation in 1959, Bill, Mary Ann and their growing family set off on an adventure that brought them to Spokane.
After 10 years of working as a truck driver, accountant and insurance adjuster, Bill realized his life’s work and became a teacher.
He achieved a teaching certificate, and later a masters degree, from Gonzaga University.
For 28 years, he taught and nurtured 5th grade students at Trentwood and Skyview elementary schools.
Above all, he loved to share knowledge and foster creativity, something that made him a favorite teacher of many.
Bill hoped that his family, friends and students would continue to pass on his love, inspiring ideas, stories and humor.
Bill loved spending time with his family at the home he built for them.
When not teaching, reading or sharing stories and laughs with family and friends, Bill could often be found in nature.
He especially enjoyed walks with his beloved dog Rascal in the forest surrounding his home.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Ann; three children: William “Bill” Nuchols, Linda Wagner and Terri Porter; five grandchildren: Emily Nuchols, Travis Wagner, Meagan Chase, Brad Porter and Cody Wagner; and of course, his best friend Rascal.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Spokane for being there in his final days at home.
There will be no memorial services, but his family asks that in honor of Bill, you all continue to share your ideas and love with the world, as he wished.
In the words of Bill, himself: “Now I must move on.
This star may explode, but I will return to eternal energy.
Goodbye, my friends.”