William Richmond “WR” Nichols, Jr, 88, of Woodbury passed away on April 13, 2026. He was born January 23, 1938, in Woodbury, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Richmond Nichols, Sr. and Maggie Lucille Davenport Nichols, wife, Jo Ann Hughes Nichols, son, Jeffery William Nichols, grandson, Jeffery “Bubba” Dewayne Nichols, brothers, Thomas (Ruth) Nichols and Roy Nichols, and a sister, Nancy Ann Nichols.
He is survived by his daughters, Arlene (Dewey Barrett) Wilson of Woodbury and Julie (David Speakman) Fitts of Smithville, five grandchildren, Dustin Nichols, Jennifer Keomanivong, Andrea Davenport, Dana Davenport and Derrick Fitts, thirteen great grandchildren, and a niece, Ruth Ann Watts.
Being born in Woodbury during the Great Depression was a hardship most of us have no concept of. The things families had to endure and do without was a long list. The family had suffer the loss of his little sister passed away before she was two years old. Even so, country folks were resilient. They relied on each other, the grace of God, and lots of love to fill in the gaps. On top of all this, WR, was involved in a car wreck when he was eighteen. He broke his back and had to finish his high school courses from home. He carried the scars of that wreck for the remainder of his life. Some others may have given up after being dealt such a hand in life. WR took things in stride. His easy-going personality paired well with his trademark slow Southern drawl.
As a young man, he chanced to cross paths with a pretty little lady named, Jo Ann. It so happened that their personalities clicked and it wasn’t long before they decided to tie the knot. They tied it tight to last through the storms of life. It stayed tied for nearly 55 years. It held them together through thick and thin. Including the loss of their son, Jeffery. Whatever life threw at them, they stayed the course and kept pushing on. They were blessed with three children, numerous grandchildren, and great grandchildren to carry on the Nichols family name and traditions.
He liked to do things at his own pace, slow and steady. It served him well with one of his favorite pastimes, hunting. Taking his time to scope out his prey and squeeze off a well-placed shot. WR loved to go fox and coyote hunting. These two ranked high in difficulty to be able to kill successfully. They were very intelligent and cunning. He had to use his wits to outsmart them. Fishing wasn’t the kind of activity where it paid to get in a rush either. He loved being outdoors, camping at Center Hill Lake and cruising around on the pontoon boat with family and friends.
WR enjoyed sitting down for a visit with his family and friends. Reminiscing about the good old days and swapping stories. He was extremely fond of Blue Grass music. Over the years he would make a point to attend one of the Blue Grass Festivals put on in different areas, traveling as far as Indiana to take in the sweet sounds of his favorite bands and their songs.
Even with WR’s back problems he soldiered on to work at several different jobs. He once tried his hand at becoming a nurse at Central State Hospital, taking some classes to become certified. It didn’t wind up working out though. He did find a job to suit him operating heavy construction equipment. The fact it allowed him to be outdoors may have helped to make up for the abuse it gave his back. Given the ups and downs of life WR made his peace with God. His brother, Thomas, was a minister. He along with a couple cousins, Van Nichols and Bobby Nichols, kept encouraging him to get his heart and life right with God. WR was baptized and put his salvation in God’s hands.
WR was a simple man, who didn’t need anything fancy to make him happy. The family can reflect fondly on the stories and memories he left them. Knowing he set his own pace to win the race in his own time.
Graveside services will be held at Reed Cemetery on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 2 pm. Bobby Nichols will officiate. Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com. Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337. Because every life has a story.
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This obituary was published by Gentry Smith Funeral Home.
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