William "Bill" R. Nicholson

William “Bill” R. Nicholson, 71, of Wenona, passed away at home on October 30, 2018.

Cremation rites have been accorded and a private burial will be at a later date. The Hurst Funeral Home in Wenona is assisting the family with arrangements.

Bill was born on May 28, 1947 in Primghar, IA at Ward Memorial Hospital during a blizzard to Robert Stuart and Elizabeth (Colby) Nicholson. When Bill was a one and a half years old, he contracted polio. He was taken to the Hospital in Sioux City where he was put in insolation. The polio affected his right leg. As an adult, his leg remained comprised and kept Bill from serving in the military.

Bill attended Primghar Elementary and High School and graduated in 1965. He went on to attend Iowa State University where he went on to earn a degree in agriculture in 1970.

All of Bill’s working life has been in the grain industry. At thirteen years of age, he started working at Nicholson and Edward’s grain elevator. Bill maintained part owner of Nicholson and Edward’s until he sold his share to the Edward’s brothers. He maintained a heartfelt interest in the elevator his entire life.

After graduation from Iowa State, Bill went to work for ADM-Tabor grain elevator in Wenona, IL. He became integral to the life of Wenona as the manager of the elevator. Bill trained interns from various universities at Tabor. He left a lifelong impact on future grain elevator managers.

To be closer to his mother, Bill moved from Tabor to Pioneer in Des Moines, IA. He managed contracts with regional farmers to produce specialty grain for Pioneer. Bill enjoyed his work with the company.

In 2009, Bill retired from Pioneer and married Rose Lauf. He returned to Wenona where he enjoyed playing cards at the firehouse and golf at the local municipal golf course. He and Rose traveled the United States visiting friends and enjoying local sites.

Bill enjoyed a large group of friends. He maintained a relationship with his four college roommates his entire adult life. He talked daily to Danny in Las Vegas and “Slim” in Peterson, IA. He maintained close contact with people he met through the grain business. He will be sorely missed by his many friends.

Bill is survived by his wife Rose and sister Jane Alice Nicholson of El Paso, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Mary Elizabeth Sanford.

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