Willard Eugene Nickum

Tacoma resident Lt. Col. Willard E. Nickum, USAF Retired, traded silver wings for wings of gold as he departed on his last earthly flight on November 19, 2008. He was born in Mercer, Pennsylvania on June 29, 1920, the son of George and Harriett Nickum. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1939, and was accepted into flight school in 1941. He earned his wings at Brady, Texas, where he graduated with the class of 42-G as a "flying sergeant" in the Army Air Corps. While in Brady, he met Billye Colene Foster of San Angelo, Texas, and they were married at the Methodist Church in Lubbock, Texas on July 4, 1942. Lt. Col. Nickum finished his career flying air re-supply in Viet Nam with 7th MAC out of McChord Air Force Base, Tacoma, Washington. During his Army and Air Force careers he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, as w ell as various theater medals. He was also awarded ceremonial wings in the Royal Thai Air Force and the Royal Ethiopian Air Force. He retired with USAF command pilot's wings and wreath. After military service, he drove a school bus for the Gig Harbor School District. His character can be defined in two statements he made. When asked if he ever experienced fear in combat, he replied "I can't recall being afraid, but there were times when I was very concentrated." Of his school bus days, he said, "These children were my most precious cargo." Bill Nickum earned the love of his family, who he served as faithfully as he had his country. He was a man not without faults, but he had no vices. He was an adventurer, a raconteur, a pretty good golfer, and a damned fine pilot. He is survived by his wife, Billye Colene Nickum of Tacoma, Washington; by his son Ronald D. Nickum, his grandsons Matthew Webb Nickum and Robert Wayne Costello, both of Amarillo, and his granddaughter Amy Colene Nickum of Los Angeles; and by his son Willard Wayne Nickum with wife Jobyna of Bonney Lake, Washington; and by his son Wesley Earl Nickum with wife Barbara and their children George, Maggie and Phoebe of Olympia, Washington. How many times have we watched your silver wings disappear into the blue expanse, Father, wondering where you flew and if you would safely return? How many times have we waited on a distant flight line as you taxied up and stepped lightly to the tarmac, to wrap us in the cool folds of your flight jacket, smelling of sweat and cigarettes? How many times have we looked at you, Dad, and wondered how you maintained your balance all those years on the feathered edge of danger? We will remember you as a man who was a good father, a good husband, and a patriot of America. Memorial services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, January 30, 2009 at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, Washington. Interment to follow at Tahoma National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to the Air Force Aid Society, 241 18th Street South, Suite 202, Arlington, VA 22202 to support military service men and women and their families during this time of war and active duty. Arrangements are being made through Curnow Funeral Home in Sumner, Washington (253) 863-2800, www.curnowfuneralhome.com .