Wendell Lee

Nicholson

Hartselle

Memorial service for Wendell Lee Nicholson, 69, of Hartselle will be Thursday, May 20, 2010, at 6 p.m. at Shelton Funeral Home in Decatur. Visitation will be one hour prior to service.

Mr. Nicholson, who died Monday, May 17, 2010, at UAB Hospital, was born October 22, 1940, in Russellville to Clarence D. and Agnes Nicholson. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Virginia Smith Nicholson; two sons, Howard D. Nicholson (Kim) and Patrick L. Nicholson (Yvesnick); one daughter, Dede Nicholson Hayes (Jeremy); one sister, Willowdean Tankersley; one brother, John Kermish; nine grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.

Assistant Fire Chief Wendell Nicholson's 45-year career with Decatur Fire Department began May 1, 1961, as a firefighter and continued until his retirement on December 22, 2006, as Assistant Fire Chief. He was a very respected member of the department and the whole fire department community.

He battled some of Decatur's most destructive blazes, including the fire in subzero weather at Mitchell Hatchery & Feed in 1962, the gas explosion at Welding Supply Co. in 1970 and two fires, each damaging five stores on East Moulton Street in 1973.

Assistant Fire Chief Nicholson received the "Firefighter of the Year Award" by the American Legion Post 15 of Decatur in 2006.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org or by 1-800-ACS-2345.