The funeral of William Nichols took place in the Masonic Hall in January 1900. His casket was placed in the hall at the same spot where nineteen years previous, Mr. Nichols married Miss Oro B Justice of Silver City. Many present at the funeral were guests at the wedding, and the circumstances added to the deep feelings of grief, regret and sorrow for the deceased and sympathy for the heart-broke widow.
William came to Silver City in 1873, a young man of 20, equipped with a splendid education and fine physique, and cast his lot with the people of this section. Of a genial, happy disposition, he made lasting friends, and has been held in high esteem by all during his long residence in this community. In 1878 he represented Owyhee County in the Territorial legislature and held many positions of public and private trust in the community. In November 1897, he sold his interest in the Alpine group of mines to the Trade Dollar Mining Company, realizing a round sum of money and retained large mining interests at the time of his death. He died at age 47 no cause was listed in his obituary, nor is it known why he shares a gravestone with Harriet McCleery.
