"A shock to hear about Bil's passing and as a testament to his global impact, it was a friend from The Netherlands who told us. I had the privilege to work with Bill for many years with NASCOLA as well as lecturing at the Mayo Conferences. Two pictures posted are from 2004 when Bill and I traveled to St Petersburg, Russia to lecture. He was a joy to work with over all those years and one who calmly led you down an alternate path while having you think it was all your idea. He touched so many all over the world. He will be missed by all of us....for Sharon and all the family, the pain runs deeper, yet their joy in having him so close for so many years makes their joy even wider. Marlies (Ledford) and Helmut Kraemer"
In loving memory of
Dr. William Lawrence Nichols Jr.
November 19, 1940 - September 7, 2022
Dr. William Lawrence Nichols, Jr. (Bill) passed away suddenly September 7th at the home he shared with his wife of 59 years, Sharon Nichols (Moore).
Bill served as an esteemed hematologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. His career began with both BA ('63) and MD ('68) degrees at the University of Kansas. He served 2 years of required military service with the Navy at Camp Pendleton, CA, and then completed his residency and hematology fellowships with the Mayo Clinic. His career there spanned from 1977 to 2022. Bill was dedicated to the science of medicine, pursuing decades of research in the field of hematology, while also training subsequent generations of physicians. He was known within the Mayo hematology community for his generous manner... and his trendy socks and colorful neckties.
Bill furthered his scientific study through frequent international conferences. He and Sharon cultivated many friends and colleagues around the globe and often hosted international physicians visiting Mayo. The trips were too numerous to count, but Bill was sure to document every place traveled with photos of art museums and new cuisines they tried.
Bill was instrumental in establishing and incorporating two professional scientific organizations. He worked with special coagulation laboratory professionals to establish the North American Specialized Coagulation Laboratories Association (NASCOLA) to improve the quality of coagulation laboratory testing and create a network of education and learning. Bill served as NASCOLA president as well as undertaking several other offices and committee assignments. His latest endeavor is the External Quality Assurance in Thrombosis and Hemostasis (EQATH) organization whose mission it is to assess existing external quality assessment programs and enhance communication among the different programs. Bill served as the inaugural secretary/treasurer and worked again with colleagues to create the organizational framework.
Bill was the son of Emma Nichols (Knott) and William Lawrence Nichols, Sr. In his younger years he was a newspaper carrier, motorcycle rider, and coronet player. He loved eclectic music and held a particular fondness for NPR's Prairie Home Companion, tuning in weekly. In later years he enjoyed entertaining friends with a sunset pontoon cruise at the family cabin on Balsam Lake.
Bill was the patriarch of a large, close family. He is survived by his wife Sharon Nichols, daughter Susan Phillips (Joe), son Douglas Nichols (Patti), granddaughters Emma Phillips, Reed Phillips (Drew Martin), Mary Nichols, and Margaret Nichols, sister Linda Sharpe, sister-in-law Ann Lerner (Moore) (Skip Drinkard), brother-in-law James Moore, and many nephews and nieces.
A celebration of Bill's life will be held Saturday, September 17th at Ranfranz and Vine, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN at 4 p.m., preceded by a gathering at 2:30 p.m. Service will be livestreamed on Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Society of Hematology Foundation, an organization focused on philanthropic investment in sustaining the future of hematology as a vibrant, flourishing career path in both academia and clinical practice. The ultimate beneficiaries of gifts to the ASH Foundation are patients battling blood diseases.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Nichols family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"So generous of his time and a true gentleman. Condolences to his family on the loss of a great human being, and to his colleagues as an unselfish mentor. What a great, great guy!"
"Dear Sharon and family?Bill and I spent many hours separating platelet membranes on a Mayo-glass blown electrophoretic device?and spent another 37 years as colleagues in Hematology. As witnessed here Bill touched many lives worldwide both directly and indirectly and leaves a wonderful legacy. Ann and I send our prayers. "
"On behalf of Mayo Clinic Laboratories Education, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Nichols Family. Dr. Nichols was an enthusiastic educator and we are grateful for all of his insightful contributions and dedication. He will be greatly missed. "
"It was sad to learn that Dr. Nichols passed away. He was a great teacher, and I enjoyed every moment I spend with him in the clinic as well as in the lab. He is a big loss to the coagulation community. My sincere condolences to his family and friends."
"Dear Mrs. Nichols and family,
I am really shocked to hear this sad news. I was one of those most fortunate to have had Dr. Nichols? mentorship during my training at Mayo. He was also a true friend. I will miss him tremendously as a person and mentor.
Eric He
"
"Dear Mrs. Nichols and family,
I am really shocked to hear this sad news. I was one of those most fortunate to have had Dr. Nichols? mentorship during my training at Mayo. He was also a true friend. I will miss him tremendously as a person and mentor.
Eric He
"
"I am deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Nichols' passing. Learning from him during my fellowship at Mayo was an incredible privilege, and he had a significant influence on my career path. I will be forever grateful for the wisdom, mentorship, and generosity he shared. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues."
"I was privileged to be trained by Dr. Nichols and have worked with him for the past 15 years. He was a fantastic physician for our patients and a wonderful mentor for colleagues and trainees. I still have my GOLD Star that he awarded me for a good research project I did 14 years ago. It is on my Mayo Clinic badge, which encourages me every day here at Mayo. "
"My First Cousin Bill was a much admired, very respected member of the Nichols family. He first visited us in Hollywood, California when he was 13 years old and I was ten years old. His parents took a trip to see us and we were proud to show him our town. He would continue to visit the Los Angeles area from time to time and called on his Aunt Frances (my mother) when she was in a nursing home, decidedly out of his way, but they greatly respected and admired one another. Then, he and Sharon would visit us, and we had many pleasant dinners together. Bill will be sorely missed from my life. Cousin Andrea (Di Marco)."
"Dear Sharon and family, Dr. Nichols was such a kind, humble, and knowledgeable man. We are so sorry for such a huge loss. Please accept our deepest condolences. He will forever remain in our hearts with the memories from working with him, learning from him, and sharing fun time with him. It has been an honor and privilege to have known such a wonderful human being. Peace be upon him. With heartfelt sympathies, Deepti, Amulya, and Vilmarie. "
"Dear Sharon and family, we are so deeply sorry for Bill?s passing. He was a big part of so many people?s lives, bringing knowledge and patient kindness. We are honored to have all the wonderful memories of our times together in Rochester, at the lake, in Belgium and many other places all over the globe. They will forever live in our hearts. Love Roger&Maxime Broes&Gregoire Raf, Flynn, Julian"
"Bill is one of the finest people on earth. All my condolences to the family. Stephane Toullieux"
"Dear Mrs. NIchols and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Bill was so important in hematology, touching thousands and residents and fellows and patients. He touched so many lives for the better both professionally and personally. He will be missed. With deepest condolences, Angela Dispenzieri"
"Dear Mrs Nichols and family: Please accept my deep condolences on Bill's passing. He was a pillar in the division and always a positive, humorous presence on our floor. He will be missed by his patients, colleagues and of course family very much. It has been a privilege to know Bill and we mourn his absence. "
"Mrs. Nichols, I am so sorry! We will miss him terribly. I am a colleague in Hematopathology and I wanted to share how happy Bill was to show us how wonderful you were and pictures of your beautiful projects. He bragged about you and was so proud! "
"Sharon, was so sad to learn of Bill's recent death. My heart aches for you and your kids. Surround yourself with all the beautiful memories of your precious time together. My deepest condolences to the Nichols family. Blessed be the memory of Bill Nichols. ?"
"Dear Sharon: Rob and I were so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. We fondly remember our many conversations with both of you in French at our Hematology events. Your profound love for each other was so evident. We are sending you our deepest condolences sincerely Alex Wolanskyj Spinner "