Wilford "Mayor Bill" Frederick Nicholes

Mayor Bill passed away peacefully on August 20, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Bill was born on May 7, 1938 to Lyle and Leah Nicholes. He grew up in Salt Lake and graduated from East High School in 1956 before continuing his education at the University of Utah where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1961. While at Utah he was a member of the Gamma Beta chapter of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. He was a lifelong Ute fan and charter member of the Crimson Club. He worked at Mountain Bell Phone Company and AT&T until he retired to Mesquite, Nevada in 2000, where he served as the mayor of Mesquite from 2003 to 2007. He married Gilda Christiansen in 1960 and together they had three children: Wilford Frederick “Rick” Nicholes, Steven Patrick “Pat” Nicholes, and Gregory “Greg” Christiansen Nicholes, they later divorced. Bill married Margaret “Maggie” Kerr Leslie on October 1, 1976 on the tram at Snowbird at sunset; they were happily married for nearly 50 years, until his passing.

He is preceded in death by his parents Lyle B Nicholes, Leah Giles Nicholes, and siblings Budd Nicholes, and Ann Warburton. Survived by his wife, Maggie, his son's Rick (Melodie), Pat (Amy), and Greg (Alisa), six grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.

There will be an open visitation at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3401 S Highland Drive, Millcreek, Utah on Saturday August 29th from 10:00-11:00 am followed by a graveside dedication from 11:00-12:00. Attire will be casual and attendees are encouraged to wear University of Utah Crimson and White to honor Bill’s love of the Utah Utes.