Santa Clara University

William Harry Morris J.D. ’96, 78, of Ridgecrest, died Dec. 7, 2011, at his home. He was born Jan. 15, 1933, in Alma, Mich. His parents were Harry and Alice Morris. William was highly committed to education. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and during his service earned his bachelor’s degree in Engineering. After working in the computer industry for more than 20 years, he continued his education at the University of Santa Clara and obtained his law degree. William continued to proudly practice as a certified family law specialist up until his death.

William was never satisfied and continued to further his education through many other activities including online lectures, traveling to exotic places, and was an avid reader of many subjects. William was a very huge supporter of his family members continuing their education. He enjoyed traveling, listening to classical music, attending operas, partaking in chess tournaments, hiking in the mountains, and posed as a tour guide full of knowledge for anyone who knew him or came along his path.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Morris of Ridgecrest; son John Morris of Menlo Park, Calif.; his former wife Maria Morris of Ridgecrest; three stepdaughters and their spouses, Vickie Gray  Patricia SoRelle, Paula Gibbs all from Kentucky, and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and mother Harry and Alice Morris and son William Morris.

Stephen Lawrence Nichols M.A. '96 died August 29 in his home at the age of 77. Born in Cleveland to Helen and Lawrence Nichols, he grew up in Troy, Ohio. He and his family later moved to Pasadena, then Winnetka, Ill., where he graduated from New Trier Township High School in 1952. He graduated from Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y., in 1956, where he was a member of the tennis team and Phi Gamma Delta. He then went on to serve as an officer in the U.S. Navy. After leaving the service, he began working for Montgomery Ward and then Mervyn's before starting a career in property management and commercial real estate in the Silicon Valley with Blackhawk Real Estate and Coldwell Banker. While working full-time in real estate, he attended Santa Clara University and earned his master's degree in counseling and psychology in 1996. In 2000, he and his wife moved to Twain Harte, Calif. to retire and build a new home. He served on the Twain Harte Homeowners Associations Board of Directors and was involved in the planning of the skateboard park, bocce ball court and the brick memorial at the tennis courts. He helped organize the Twain Harte's Litter Patrol and was referred to as "Captain Litter" by many of his friends and family. He enjoyed playing tennis and running, having completed the Boston Marathon in 1976 and the Avenue of the Giants Marathon with his son in 1977, water aerobics, working out at the gym and walking. He also enjoyed attending Sierra Repertory Theatre and raising funds for the theater. Mr. Nichols is survived by his wife, Mikell Kelly M.A. '96, of Twain Harte; sister, Cynthia Nichols Russell, of Traverse City, Mich.; children and their spouses, Susan and John Stebal, of Willowick, Ohio, Stacey and Bill Larson, of Davis, Eanna Sarah, of Tuolumne, Calif., and Doug Johnson, of Pacifica; and grandchildren, J.P. and Anna-Lesia Stebal, both of Willowick, Ohio, Julia and Amanda Larson, both of Davis, and Mercedes Sarah, of Tuolumne. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Peter Nichols.

Stephen Lawrence Nichols M.A. ’96: July 15, 1934 to Aug. 29, 2011. Nichols peacefully passed away at his home on Aug. 29 after losing his six-year battle with cancer. Stephen had just celebrated his 77th birthday; he was a resident of Twain Harte, Calif., for the past 11 years. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Helen Fergus Nichols and Lawrence Lewis Nichols, both deceased. Stephen lived his early years in Troy, Ohio. His family moved to Pasadena, Calif., then to Winnetka, Ill., before graduating from New Trier Township High School in 1952. He continued his education at Colgate University, where he was a member of the tennis team and Phi Gamma Delta. Upon graduation in 1956, Stephen entered the Navy as an officer. Stephen started his career in retail, working first with Montgomery Ward and Company and then Mervyns Department Stores. He was in retail for more than 20 years before changing careers to property management and commercial real estate. Stephen worked primarily in the Silicon Valley with Blackhawk Real Estate and Coldwell Banker-CB Richard Ellis. While working full time in real estate, Stephen continued his education at Santa Clara University, graduating in 1996 with a master’s in psychology. In 2000 Stephen and his wife, Mikell Kelly M.S. '96, made the move from the San Francisco Bay Area to Twain Harte to retire and build a new home. Stephen was active in the community serving on the board of the Twain Harte Homeowners Association. Also, he was involved in the community projects such as the Skate Board Park, the planning of a bocce ball court, and the brick memorial at the tennis courts. Stephen's favorite community project was organizing Twain Hartes Litter Patrol. He was known as Captain Litter. One could see him frequently around town and along Twain Harte Drive picking up litter. This project is now being carried on by his friends and is an integral part of the homeowner's association. Stephen was very active as a patron and fundraiser for Sierra Repertory Theater as a season ticket holder. He was always very excited to raise funds and donate to the theater. Stephen is survived by his wife, Mikell Kelly, also his sister, Cynthia Nichols Russell of Traverse City, Michigan. Children, daughter, Susan Nichols Stebal (John) of Willowick, Ohio; son, Peter (preceded in death in 1988); Stacey Larson (Bill) of Davis, Calif.; Eanna Sarah of Tuolomne, Calif.; Doug Johnson of Pacifica, Calif. He also leaves beloved grandchildren, J.P, Anna-Lesia, Julia, Amanda, and Mercedes.