Willie James Nicholson Jr.

Willie James Nicholson Jr., or Billy and Nick, as he was affectionately known by his family, was born on April 8, 1950. Billy was born to the late Willie James Nicholson, Sr. and Celestee Delores Johnson in Washington, DC.

Billy was a lively child who was very active and loved to have fun. He received his education in the D.C. public school system. As a youth, sports was one of his favorite pastimes, and he was an avid basketball player. Billy played on the varsity team for Anacostia High school, his alma mater, and was known for his deadly left hand and being able to jump out of the gym!

After graduating high school, Nick as he now liked to be called, went into the U.S. Army. He served in the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1974. A decorated E2, Nick earned many service medals such as, the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

Once home from the military, Nick found employment at the Lorton Maximum Security Prison as a correctional officer. Nick took pride in this job and was early everyday to work. He also took pity on the many stray cats that lived near the prison and would bring them home often! When Nick wasn’t working at Lorton, he enjoyed playing baseball for a local team. It was there, at one of his games that he met Alise Butler. After a long courtship, Nick and Alise were married in 1986. From this union came “The Nicholson boys!” Nick loved his boys dearly and often spoke of how proud he was of them, and how happy their presence made him. Nick also loved his wife unconditionally until she passed in 2015.

The only people that possibly made Nick smile more than his wife and boys were his grandchildren. Nick was a wonderful and loving grandfather! He was an integral part of each of his grandchildren’s lives. He would spend as much of his free time with them as he could and was a fixture at their school and personal events. They could also always count on their Papa to remember birthdays and spoil them rotten!

During his marriage to Alise, Nick found God! He charged one of his daughters with making sure that each of his grandchildren knew that “having a relationship with Jesus Christ was THE BEST thing he’s done in his life!” Nick wasn’t a religious man, but he was spiritual. He knew God and had a close and personal relationship with him. Many did not know how much of a praying man he was. He had faith in God and would often say “God’s got me.”

Preceding Nick in death was his brother, Robert Nicholson and the love of his life, wife Alise Nicholson. Nick leaves to cherish his memory his children: Robert Carter (Shauna), Ayanna Johnson (Frederick), Terra Carter (Juan), Mark Nicholson, Matthew Nicholson, John Nicholson (Kevina), and Willie James Nicholson III. His grandchildren: Haneyah Johnson, Wesley Wade, Asad Davenport, Solomon Davenport, Niylah Collins, Raymond Johnson, and Nehru Davenport. Bonus grandchildren: Ty’liyah Green and Nehemiah Coley. His siblings: Sharlene Nicholson, Juan Nicholson, Karen Nicholson, Bernard Wallace, Clarence Wallace (Sandy), Glenn Wallace and Kerry Wallace. In-laws: Dee Staten, Betty Noble (John), Sheila Lee, Ronald Butler (Marteena), Robbyn Wherry, Anthony Lewis (Theo), and Larese Butler and a host of other family and friends.

Nick had a strong presence and a raspy voice that could be heard wherever he was. He told very entertaining stories filled with the most colorful words and sayings! He fussed and yelled but everyone knew that he was a big softie who loved his family. We love him too and will miss him dearly.

A video of Mr. Nicholson's service at Quantico National Cemetery is available on the Lemmon Funeral Home Facebook page at this link:

https://www.facebook.com/LemmonFuneral/videos/1533909113620947