William Earl Nicholls, 83, Harrisonville, Missouri, died Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 9, 2012 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville. Burial will be in Orient Cemetery in Harrisonvile. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Atkinson Chapel in Harrisonville. Memorial contributions may be made to The Community Of Christ, 800 South St., Harrisonville, MO 64701.

William was born August 21, 1928 near Pleasant Hill, Missouri, the son of Robert Earl and Hazel Irene (Warner) Nicholls. He grew up on the farm near Pleasant Hill and was a graduate of Pleasant Hill High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 1950 from the University of Missouri in Columbia. He married Anna Lou Radmall on August 6, 1950 in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. He worked for the Gas Service Company for 29 years, retiring in 1991 as a foreman.

William was a lifelong Cass County, Missouri resident. He was a farmer and had raised registered hogs, cattle and horses. He also did custom hay baling and trained race horses. His hobbies included collecting banks, coins and marbles.

William was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Erelene Smith, one brother, John Warner Nicholls and one grandchild. He is survived by his wife, Anna Lou Nicholls of the home; one son, Rob Nicholls and his wife, Chris, Oakwood Hills, IL; three daughters, Georgann Butler and her husband, Kenny, Harrisonville, MO, Carol Nicholls, Phoenix, AZ and Alice Nicholls, Olathe, KS; one sister, Zoe Bishop, Tucson, AZ; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.