Hosea Howard Nicholas,

Hosea Howard Nicholas, Jr. 92, of Williamstown, W.Va. passed away Saturday, December 19, 2015 at his residence. He was born December 1, 1923 in Wood County, W.Va., a son of the late Hosea Nicholas, Sr. and Tina Duncan Nicholas. He was a 1941 graduate of Williamstown High School. He was a U.S. Navy World War II veteran, serving in the battle of Normandy Beach and was in the Phillipines and England. He retired from Belpre Office Machines and Equipment. He was a 57 year member of the Williamstown Volunteer Fire Dept. and was presently Assistant Fire Chief. Howard was recently awarded and recognized as the oldest active fireman in W.Va. and possibly the United States. He was a very active member of the Williamstown American Legion Post #159 and was a member of the Moose and VFW in Marietta. He was a member of the Williamstown Masonic Lodge A.F.& A.M #129 and was a member of Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in Williamstown. He is survived by two daughters, Jan Stevens (Mark Williams) of Williamstown and Vicki Schweitzer (Tom) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; four grandchildren, Jason (Kayleen), Jeff (Jessica), and Jennifer (Jon) Schweitzer and Jenice (Jamie) Brough; two great-grandchildren, Justice Binegar and Kinsley Schweitzer; one sister, Lorena Haught of Marietta; one brother, Marvin Nicholas (Barbara) of Ravenswood, W.Va.; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Nieta Sands Nicholas; one great-grandchild, Jeremiah Elijah Binegar; two brothers, George and Bill Nicholas; and one sister, Lillian Nicholas. Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at The Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in Williamstown with the Reverend Richard Heller officiating. Burial will follow the service at Riverview Cemetery in Williamstown with full military honors by American Legion Post #159 and Masonic Rites by Williamstown Lodge #129 A.F. & A.M. Visitation will be 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home, 3005 Grand Central Ave. Vienna, WV 26105. The Williamstown Volunteer Fire Dept. will honor their departed member by escorting his remains to its final resting place on one of the fire trucks. Memorial contributions may be made to the Williamstown Volunteer Fire Department or the Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in Williamstown.