Dr. William C. Nichols, Jr.

Dr. William C. Nichols, Jr. passed away June 19, 2021 at the age of 92. He was born on April 16, 1929 in Fayette, Alabama to Eva Hargett Nichols and William Curtis Nichols, Sr. As a long-time therapist and educator in the fields of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and Clinical Psychology, he was a leader in establishing standards for the practice and advancements in the organizations that represent MFT. Dr. Nichols started the journal for the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and continued to edit multiple journals throughout his lifetime. His professional career included full-time teaching at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Samford University, the Merrill-Palmer Institute, and Florida State University, and adjunct or visiting positions at several institutions, including UGA. He was sole author of four books, co-author of one, editor of two, and co-editor of another, in addition to author or co-author of more than 50 peer-reviewed articles. He served as president of the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), the AAMFT, and the International Family Therapy Association (IFTA), where he served twice. He was a fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA) and Division 43 (Family Psychology), the Association for Psychological Science (APS), AAMFT, and the American Orthopsychiatric Association, and Diplomate in Clinical Psychology of the American Board of Professional Psychologists (ABPP). He received numerous awards for his contributions to marital and family therapy, family psychology, and mental health organizations. Dr. Nichols cherished his higher education, including a BA from the University of Alabama and a Doctor of Education from Teachers College of Columbia University, New York. Fitting for an additional interest, he delighted in telling friends of being a member of Fayette County High School’s undefeated 1946 state championship football team; he graduated in 1947. His knowledge of specific sports data at all levels was amazing. Dr. Nichols was preceded in death by his parents, Eva Nichols and William Curtis Nichols, Sr. (Hattie), his wife of 36 years, Alice Mancill Nichols, and his sister, Jeneil Nichols Lowrey. Dr. Nichols is survived by his wife of 29 years and fellow family expert, Dr. Mary Anne Pace-Nichols. He and they presented at family therapy conferences, nationally and internationally. He is survived by his children: Camille Nichols Dvorscak (Mike) of Johns Creek, GA, William (Bill) Nichols (Kathryn) of Germantown, MD, and Dr. David Nichols (Caitlyn) of Evanston IL. He is also survived by his grandchildren Ben Nichols, BA, BS, JD and Ali Nichols, BS (Germantown, MD) and Al Nichols, BS and Zachary Nichols, BFA (Evanston, IL), and his nieces and nephews, the youngest of whom is grandniece, Emma Pace Lee, Centreville, VA. She will always miss her “Bill-Bill”. Services will be in Athens, GA, July 17, 10:00 AM (visitation following) at Bernstein Funeral Home, and in Fayette, AL, July 18, 2:00 PM (visitation preceding) at Norwood-Wyatt Chapel Funeral Home. An additional service will be held later in Sylvania, GA. Date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: IFTA 1800 3rd Avenue, STE 512 Rock Island IL 61201 309-786-4491 Payable to: IFTA – Nichols For Credit Cards or bank transfers: Contact General Secretary William Hiebert at wjhiebert@aol.com or 309-786-4491) Cancer Foundation of Northeast GA P.O. Box 49309 Athens,GA 30604 www.cfnega.org. Dementia Society of America PO Box 600 Doylestown, PA 18901 USA 1-800-336-3684 Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601 1800-272-3900