Dr. Willis L. (Will) Nicklas, 96, passed away on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

The family will receive friends at a visitation from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 1st at Lunn’s. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 2nd at First Baptist Church East Chapel with Dr. Bob McCartney officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Veal Creek Cemetery, Possum Kingdom Lake under the direction of Lunn’s Colonial Funeral Home.

Will born June 5, 1930 in Graham, Texas. He lived on the Brazos River during his early years and graduated from Graford High School in 1948. He attended Tarleton State College and graduated from North Texas State College in 1954. While at North Texas, Will met his future wife, Jean Burch, and they married July 26, 1952. Upon graduation he received a commission in the U.S. Air Force and served twenty years active duty, retiring as Lt. Colonel in 1974. During his military career, he flew 140 combat missions in Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia receiving many awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals.

After retiring from the Air Force, Will earned the doctorate and served as faculty member at Howard Payne University and the University of North Texas until he retired a second time in 1995. While at North Texas, Will was a member of the Faculty Senate, Faculty Adviser for the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, director of the Center for Developmental Studies and Chair of the International Reading Association’s Media Award for Television Committee. He was the recipient of numerous grants from the U.S. Department of Education and the Texas Education Agency.

In 1995 Will and Jean retired to Possum Kingdom Lake where they lived until her death in 2003. In 2005, he and Glenda Martin of Archer City, Texas, were married, and they moved to Wichita Falls in 2006.

Will enjoyed gardening, running and reading. He was an active pilot until he was 84. He was active in Baptist churches throughout his life, serving in many capacities wherever he lived. At various times, Will served as deacon, Sunday school teacher, church treasurer and was a member of numerous committees.

Will was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Jean Burch Nicklas; his parents, John and Della Nicklas; a sister, Betty McClure; a brother Jim Nicklas.

He is survived by his wife, Glenda Martin Nicklas; daughters, Marsha Winship and husband David; Nancy Malesky and husband Russ; son Dr. Richard Nicklas and wife Chaharu; stepdaughters, Debi Martin and Cindy Martin Lanehart and husband David; sister, Jewell Rater; sister-in-law Johna Nicklas; brothers David Nicklas and wife, Joyce; and Tom Nicklas and wife, Susan; six grandchildren; one step-grandson; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.