Oliver Benjamin Nichols Jr. (Bud), 80, of Big Spring, died Wednesday, March 19, 2014, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, March 24, 2014 at the First Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Calvary Callender and Rev. James Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olive Memorial Park.The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Sunday, March 23, 2014 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.Bud was born to Oliver and Myrta Nichols on January 25, 1934 in Big Spring. He graduated from Knott High School and then attended Howard College. He served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957 and was stationed in Germany during this time. He had been affiliated with the Elbow community since 1960. He married Edna Harrell in 1956 and later married Lisa Lemons in 1981. Oliver was a lifetime cotton farmer and owned Nichols Trucking Company. He served on the Howard County Farm Bureau Board and also served on the Forsan ISD Board for eight years, four years as president.He was known as Buddy, Bud, Benjamin, Dad and Pa-Pa. He loved to travel to new places and meet new people. Oliver treasured his time in the outdoors while hunting in Colorado, playing tennis and going to tractor pulls. He enjoyed being with his friends at the coffee shop learning the latest news. He will be missed by all who knew him.Survivors include five children, Marcie Goza and husband, Micah of Liberty Hill, CharitiXan Nichols of Big Spring, Melissa Munden and husband, Cody of San Angelo, Weldon Nichols of Big Spring and Oliver Benjamin Nichols III, of Austin; twelve grandchildren, Skyler Nichols, Stephanie Nichols, Noah Goza, Aubrey Goza, Chesney Goza, Smilla Stephens, Dillon Munden, Karson Munden, Zola Stephens, Lars Stephens, Jordan Munden and Logan Brooke Munden; one great-grandchild Blake Wattinger of San Angelo; three brothers, Jerry Nichols and wife, Rita of Seminole, Dick Nichols and Lonnie Nichols both of Big Spring; one sister, Charlotte Jackson and husband, Darrell of Andrews.He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Billy Nichols.The family suggest memorials be made to the Texas ALS Community of Hope.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences may be made at: www.npwelch.com,
