Benjamin Williams Nicholls

Benjamin Williams Nicholls, 92, of Plymouth formerly of Quincy died February 11, 2026 at his home following a sudden illness.

Born at the former Quincy City Hospital December 30, 1933 he was the son of the late Claud and Muriel (Murray) Nicholls and grandson of the late Rev. Sampson and Sara Louise (Donogue) Nicholls.

Ben attended the former Wollaston Grammar School and Central Junior High School. He graduated Quincy High School in 1951.

During Christmas school vacation in 1944 Ben was involved in a snow sledding accident that resulted in a serious head injury and a massive concussion. This changed the arc of his life somewhat and led to some strange and interesting situations. C’est le vie! He did retain some intellectual acuity however, winning the spelling bee championship at Central in 1948, and won first place in a city-wide history test in high school.

After graduating high school at age 17 Ben enlisted in the US Army the following month. Completing basic training at Fort Lee, Virginia, he returned home in November and was available to witness Quincy beat North Quincy and advance in the series to stay. Reporting to Fort Lawton in Washington state he boarded a troop ship for Japan. Arriving in Yokohama on the morning of his 18th birthday, December 30, 1951. Four days later he was sent to Korea to serve in the war as a member of the 60th Engineering Company of the 8th Army. He returned home after the Truce was signed ending the war, and finished his enlistment time serving in the 80th Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Following his Honorable discharge in 1954, Ben worked for several years at the former Boston Gear Works in Quincy until the shop closed. He also worked for a time at Filenes in the South Shore Plaza and at the Fore River Shipyard before entering federal service at the Army base in Boston and later the Army Research Center in the old Watertown Arsenal where he served as a Budget Analyst and Budget Officer. He finally transferred to the U.S. Army Information Systems Command in Watertown where he served as a resource manager and administration officer.

Taking up road racing when he was 40, he won several age-group events; continuing until age 75.

Ben was the brother of the late Adelade, Feodore and Claud Nicholls. Uncle to Linda Sinuc, Sarah Tirrell-Wysocki, William Tirrell, Robert Sears, Diane Hewins, Sheryl Warren, and Wayne Sears. Great Uncle to Jaime Tirrell Hassey, Nora Hale, Hannah Tirrell-Wysocki, John Sinuc, Adam Sinuc, Owen Tirrell and Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki.  Also survived by life-long friends Jim and Alice Deady of Brooksby Village, Peabody. He was predeceased by his beloved black cat, Louie.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend memorial visitating hours Thursday March 5, 2026 from 2:00-4:00pm at Hamel-Lydon Chapel, 650 Hancock St, Quincy. A private interment at Mount Wollaston Cemetery will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Louie’s name may be to Quincy Animal Shelter, PO Box 690088, Quincy MA 02269-0088 or online at QuincyAnimalShelter.org