Veteran educator of 40 years, Walter N. Nichols died Saturday, August 25th at his home 181 Cape May Drive, Wilmington, Ohio. He was born in Westboro, Clinton County, Ohio on June 4, 1913, the son of Frank Milton and Minerva Norris Nichols. He is survived by his wife, Grace Dininger Nichols; a son, Walter Jr. and a daughter-in-law, Karren Leaverton Nichols of Southlake, Texas; nephews Larry (Bonnie) Estell of Bushnell, Florida and Nicholas (Rita) Estell of Sabina, Ohio. He was a member of the Westboro United Methodist Church and would often times say "he went to that Church longer than he was old". He was also a member of the Goshen Masonic Lodge and the Scottish Rite Valley of Cincinnati. He graduated from Jefferson High School, Clinton County. He received a B.S. degree in education from Wilmington College and a Masters Degree in School Superintendency from Ohio State University. In 1975 he was awarded an honorary Doctors of Law degree from Wilmington College. He often expressed his gratitude for the many good things that he could be a part of in Clinton County. Foremost among the good things was being the son of a village blacksmith and a stay-at-home Mom that set their own standards for desirable youth behavior. At Jefferson High School in Clinton County, his junior year he teamed up with a talented group of basketball players that won the County, District, and Sectional tournaments. This achievement led to the Ohio High School State Tournament where they finished in the final four of their division. This record of seventy years is yet to be broken by Clinton County team. Walter's death marked e passing of this elite varsity five. From the same high school a lengthy courtship, not uncommon during the Great Depression, blossomed into a marriage of 70 years with Grace, founded on love and respect for one another. His first employment was with the Goshen, Ohio school system where he served as coach, science teacher and part time principal for seven years. Returning to his home, Jefferson, for eleven years he soon faced the reality of being both administrator and "jack of all trades" due to teacher shortage and the crippling effect of product rationing caused by World War II. As Superintendent of Clinton County Schools for twenty two years, he was faced with the challenge of change due to the trend of time that would impact upon the eleven school districts. One of the challenges initiated by the Ohio Department of Education was to reorganize small school districts into larger units. In keeping with the mandate he and certain farsighted board members reduced the districts from eleven to three by transferring four districts to Wilmington and creating Clinton Massie and East Clinton Schools. Blanchester was enlarged by the transfer of two districts. He often said with pride that it was his good fortune to name Clinton Massie and East Clinton. With the closing of the Clinton County Air Force Base, he was appointed to develop the Education Use Plan that specified the need for education with emphasis on technical and vocational education. The Department of Defense approved the transfer of all facilities, not flight related, for school purposes. This acquisition provided start up facilities for Laurel Oaks and Southern State Community College. Among the other good things that happened with serving on a committee of three that negotiated in the purchase of Murphy Theatre that was then in shambles and decay. On the light side of life, he enjoyed gardening, lawn keeping, golf for fun, walking and music. He was preceded in death by infant, Jean Karen Nichols; a sister, Ruth Nichols Estell and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Memorial donations in Walter's name may be directed to Westboro United Methodist Church or Gamma Phi Gamma Fraternity-Wilmington College.