We are so sorry to hear about Bill’s passing and saddened for your loss. Bill was the nicest person I met after my move from the UK and I truly enjoyed Bill’s company professionally and as a friend. We will miss his wonderful smile and we are very fortunate to have known him.

Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time and our sincerest condolences to the whole family. Rest in Peace Bill.

Dev and Cheran

Peggy –

I just heard the news about Bill. I am so shocked and saddened to hear of his early death. My heart goes out to you and your family. I have so many wonderful memories of you and Bill – your shared rapport, and lots of shared laughter over silly Christmas trinkets.

Bill’s easy-going warmth, quick intellect, technical expertise, and his ability to analyze and explain data clearly made him such a pleasure to work with.

I’m sending a virtual hug your way.

Love,

Jamie and Lisa

My sincere condolences to the Nickerson family. I knew Bill from the old neighbourhood of Gambier Street where we sometimes played together as kids. Later I knew him from the MUN Physics Society and later again as a colleague in the oilpatch in the 1980s. I lost touch with Bill as his career developed and he untook the role of husband and father. I will always remember Bill as a thoughful quiet man whose soft spoken manner hid great intellect.

Rest in Peace Bill

Peggy, Katherine, Colin and Kinsey,

Words can not express the sadness we feel for your loss. My own family always had such wonderful things to say about Bill. I’m glad my mom could provide him pickled eggs or wieners whenever he visited. I was so happy to hear of your wonderful, loving times with Bill and all the happy memories he was able to create for your family. You were truly blessed.

Love,

Lorna and Corrado

Peggy,

I just found out about Bill. I am so sorry for your loss and very shocked of this terrible news. Please let me know if there is anything at all that you need. I am always here for you and your family.

All our love,

Doug & Michelle

Kat, I’m so sad to hear about your dad! It’s been a long time but I remember him like it was yesterday, he was such a kind and patient man and it was always evident how much he loved you! I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m thinking about you and your family and I’m giving you a huge hug right now.

A good friend and a good man gone too soon. Melanie and I send our condolences and our love to Peggy, Katherine, Colin and Kinsey.

Peggy and Family,

Phil and I are thinking of you during this difficult time. We always enjoyed seeing Bill and all your family when you made visits to St. John’s. We remember Bill as being an affable fellow who made the time to chat with everyone in the room. This was one of his gifts, of which he had many.

Take care of each other.

Noelle Baker and Phil Oliver

Aunt Peggy, Colin, Katherine, & Kinsey,

I’m so sorry to hear about Uncle Bill. I have nothing but the fondest memories of him as a man of warmth, wit, good humour, and gentle intelligence. My thoughts are with you all.

Love,

Stephen

Peggy and Family,

Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. Bill was an inspiration for me and I really appreciated working with him at PanCanadian and Encana in the GoM team. He was passionate about his job and was great geoscientist. Bill was easy to talk to and always enjoyed a lively discussion around a beer.

Sincerely,

Jocelyn Dufour

Very sad to hear of Bill’s passing. Condolences to Peggy and the family.

Peggy, we are so very sorry for your loss. Marian and I send our sympathy and our condolences to you and your family.

Bill and I lived in the same neighbourhood at a very early age but only really met and became friends years later, in first-year Physics at Memorial. We saw a lot of each other in the MUN years. Bill managed with aplomb the sometimes tricky business of combining excellent academic work with a healthy social life.

In later years following the family’s move to Calgary we were in touch less frequently but I always enjoyed the times we did catch up. Bill’s unaffected intelligence, his humour and his warm and lively interest in the world around him made him a treat to be with. I will miss him, and remember him with great affection.

Bill was the best – a great family man, a great geophysicist, and a great friend. I will miss him a lot.

Dear Peggy and family

So sorry for your loss. I enjoyed my association with Bill while he was at Polar Star. May your many happy memories help to bring you peace. Thinking of you now.

Whitney

I knew Bill through involvement with the CSEG DoodleTrain. Bill’s leadership and dedication to continuing professional education were inspiring. Equally moving was his interest in integrating university students into the DoodleTrain courses through volunteer opportunities. Bill will be dearly missed for his professionalism and the warm personal touch to his work.

The Nickersons and our family spent many childhood years on Cornwall Avenue and, hence, were acquaintences with the larger family and friends with those closer our own age. The families fine qualities are personified in Bill, who was the youngest, and are well reflected in condolensece from those who knew him closer in adult years. Sincere sympathies to Bill’s wife and children, and to Bill’s to siblings and extended family.

Bill Clarke and family.

Dear Peggy. Thinking of you, Katherine, Colin and Kinsey with love and wish we could be there with you. Bill was truly a wonderful man. I always loved talking to him and I was so happy to spentd some time with you both last year when you visited St. John’s. I loved that warm smile of his….

Love and very deepest sympathy from both of us.

Aunt Marina & Uncle Bob

Dear Peggy. Thinking of you, Katherine, Colin and Kinsey with love and wish we could be there with you. Bill was truly a wonderful man. I always loved talking to him and I was so happy to spend some time with you both last year when you visited St. John’s. I loved that warm smile of his….

Love and very deepest sympathy from both of us.

Aunt Marina & Uncle Bob

Peggy and the Nickerson family,

I was sad today to learn of Bill’s death. Bill was my first friend ever when we were preschoolers living on Cornwall Ave. We shared many great childhood memories including playing in the coal bin, tobogganing down his driveway and playing with all the great Nickerson toys. I was fortunate that we connected as young adults while at MUN and working in Calgary for the summer. Condolences to all the family.

My condolences to Peggy and the extended family of Bill. I have not seen or spoken to Bill for a number of years but I remember him fondly as a warm, friendly and standup gentleman. I respected and liked him very much. I know he will be missed by many people that felt the same as I.

Dear Peggy and family,

Just a note to let you know that Bill is well remembered by many of us in his old department at UBC for his wonderful dedication to education, his knowledge, his clarity in discussions and his warm personality. I only saw him infrequently at conferences after he left UBC but it was always clear that he valued his time with us and we were the better for having him as one of our students and sessional lecturers.

On behalf of the (now) Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences, I send our sincere condolences for your great loss at such an early age.

Sincerely,

Ron Clowes (now Professor Emeritus)

Peggy and the Nickerson Family,

Please accept our sincere condolences on Bill’s passing. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.

Uncle Frank,David, Patti, and Joanne

Peggy and family,

I am so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. You guys are in my thoughts and prayers.

Janice (Wadden) Owens

Class of 1981

Peggy and family. Our thoughts are with all of you at this time. I will always be in his debt as it was through Bill in the summer of 1979 that I met the love of my life Lorraine.

We just got back from Florida last night and were glad we at least had the chance to attend the funeral service this afternoon.

Another good guy is gone and it happened far too soon. There has been a steady loss of many of our group for the past year. There are sad moments like this but many happy memories from the path travelled that brighten each day as we move forward.

Geoff Martin/Lorraine Arsenault

Peggy and family,

I had the great fortune of working with Bill when I first moved here from St. John’s. Bill was a great teacher, role model and friend. I feel so lucky for having known him. He was a wonderful man who impacted the lives of so many. We are so sorry for your loss and send our deepest condolences.

Brian and Burdine Rex.

Peggy, Katherine,Colin and Kinsey

We are so sad at this time.

Bill will be missed.

Bill was the epitome of the true Scholar and Gentelman. He was a great mentor to anyone who looked to him for guidance or assistance.

I was always amazed by Bill’s breadth of knowledge and enjoyed our conversations on so many subjects, he did appreciate a good rum as part of the chat.

He enjoyed mostly talking about his children he was extremly proud of all of you.

We hope to see all of you soon.

Ryan and Craig

We are truly saddened to hear of Bill’s passing and send our condolences to the family. Bill was one of the nicest men we have ever known and always seemed to be in good humour. His efforts in giving back to the Geophysics community speaks volumes about his character. Although we lost touch after leaving Newfoundland, when I ran into him at the occasional conference it was like I saw him yesterday. We know he will be deeply missed by many.

Brian and Sande

Bill was a wonderful friend, a great teacher and a gifted Geoscientist. My Condolences to family and friends, may he rest in peace.

John Hogg

Dear Peggy & Family

I was saddened to hear of Bill’s death, and will always remember his fantastic personality and sense of humour (definitely an east-coaster!)

regards

Ian

(a UBC grad student at the same time as Bill)

The membership, executive and staff of Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists is deeply saddened in hearing of the passing of Bill. Bill was an excellent volunteer with the CSEG and was the founder and architect of our continuing education week, known as the DoodleTrain, in 2002 and it has proven over those years as likely the most important program the society offers today. Please accept the society’s sincere condolences.

Deepest sympathy on the loss of Bill from the Stanford family in Newfoundland. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Bill truly was the “Best Man”. Peggy and kids you have my deepest condolences. He was a wonderful man with a wonderful wife and wonderful children. I am so lucky to have known him..

All my love… Trudy

To the Nickerson family,

My sincere condolences on the passing of Bill. He was one of my first mentors many years ago, and one of the more memorable senior technical persons to work with. I remember him always starting our conversations with something other than work, a trait that often goes unnoticed in our busy world, and one that speaks to Bill’s personable nature.

Rest in peace, you will be missed.

Warren Pearson

Peggy,

My deepest sympathies! Bill was definitely a good mentor to me and a “classy” gentlemen in the way he dealt with issues that arose in the Doodletrain. I have never seen him lose his temper and he knew how to be a professional at all times. We (myself and all those in the industry that knew him) will definitely miss him.

Best regards,

John F.

I am deeply saddened by the news of Bill’s passing. He had vast knowledge and always made time to mentor / share experiences. I always thought of him as one of the people that shaped my career.

My sincere condolences,

Andrew

Bill and I met while sharing an office at UBC and enjoyed a long friendship, renewed periodically at geophysical meetings. He was a terrific chap.

Sincere condolences.

Scott and Bernie Leaney

Houston

Dear Peggy,

We are so sad to say goodbye to Bill. He will hold a special place in our hearts. We will always have fond memories of singing around the campfire, dinners full of laughter and New Year’s charades. Trivial Pursuit will never be the same without our dear friend.

Our love to you all,

Ian and Chris

Very sorry for your tragic loss. Bill was a very big part of all of your lives and a super positive influence and role model for the kids. I will miss him dearly as a true friend. We had many good times together camping, working together for years and going on golf trips. I am honoured to have been a friend of Bill’s.

Peggy and Family,

Please accept my sympathy for your loss. Bill was a great geoscientist and a wonderful person. I enjoyed working with and learning from him over the years. My thoughts are with you and his family during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Irene Kelly

I send my hearfelt condolences to Bill’s family. Many a geophysicist will hold him in high regard both as a mentor and a co-worker. I had the great pleasure of going to the same high school as him in St. John’s Newfoundland and also working with him at PanCanadian which I must say were great years. He was a great man and he is gone to soon. God Bless.

Peggy

I am so sorry and saddened for your loss. As everyone has said Bill

was a very special person in his professional, and more importantly, personal endeavours. I certainly admired his even tempered, easy going manner and enjoyed all of my dealings with him.

Please accept my condolences

To Peggy and Family,

Bill has been a long time friend going all the way back to MUN days. Always fun to be around, always entertaining, always thoughtful and considerate. We were roommates for awhile in Calgary, and I very much enjoyed our conversations, camping trips and his guitar playing. He even taught me some good recipes, which was a big step for a fella like me, who thought that Kraft Dinner was gourmet eating. Even in those early days Bill was a guy with a broad perspective, who seemed to know the lay of the land pretty well, and took everything in stride. I can see by the other posts here that he has also made a considerable impact within the geophysics community and profession, which is not at all surprising knowing Bill.

My deepest condolences at your loss.

Phonse Fagan

St. John’s, NL

Peggy, Katherine, Colin and Kinsey,

Peg, To lose Bill must be heartbreaking for you and your children. We always think of you both as one of those truly happy couples. We loved seeing you and Bill come through our doors on Cornwall Crescent on many occasions during your visits to Newfoundland – to have a glass of red and catch up. Bill left a wonderful impression on those lucky enough to have met him and he will be missed. We are so sorry for your loss. Take Care, Maureen and Neil, NL

Dear Peggy,

Our deepest condolences to you and your family. Bill was such a wonderful person, so lively and happy. Thank you for the warm welcome you gave us into your home and your lives. We will remember Bill with much tenderness.

Love,

Merle and Shane

Bill made the science of geophysics understandable to anyone who was interested. He was indeed a gifted teacher, a consummate professional, a straight shooter. A few years back, Bill kindly gave me a copy of his course manual Geophysics for Engineers and Geologists – It is a cherished memory of him. I will deeply miss Bill, and feeling his influence in our Geophysical Community.

To the Nickerson family,

I was very saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. He was a tremendous person and someone to admire. His way with people was genuine and as well as being a true collaborator of thought. He always had a smile and a great outlook on life which could be infectious.

My sincere condolences for your loss.

Richard Pearcy

Peggy and family,

So sorry to hear about your dear husband and dad. What a great man he was. I was lucky enough to have met him through Geraldine during our early days in Vancouver. Lots of laughs there as he and Peggy looked out for us! I saw the love he had for you Peggy and the kids. You will always have that love and many memories and each other to get you through this . Take care.

Love,

Jackie Martin xo

Peggy and family, I am very sorry for your loss.

My condolences to Bill’s family. He was a great person and funny and very knowledgeable instructor. I still smile when I think about the story he told about his nephew breaking a limb via a quad accident while doing seismic acquisition and his nephews friend found him in the snow in pain and said ” you lucky bastard” because the work and winter weather was brutal. His geophysics courses were great and he really enjoyed teaching us junior PCF geologists.

I am saddened by the news and feel fortunate to have known him. My sincere condolences to his family.

Neil

Love is patient, love is kind.

We cannot think of words that describe Bill better, as a family man or a friend.

He was a great friend, and he was “our Bill” to our kids.

We are so sorry that we cannot be there today, but know that we are there.

We miss him already.

Love

Andy, Lynn, Matthew, and Kevin

Dear Peggy and Family,

I was very sad to hear of Bill’s illness and even sadder to hear that he had passed away. I was hoping he would be with us for a few more precious years yet. Bill was a very good man, a rare one and I am glad to have known him and shared some time with him, though not nearly enough. I was one of those to follow in his footsteps on the DoodleTrain Committee, something that will stand as a legacy for him and a great achievement, unique in our small world. Bill was not only an excellent geophysicist he was also a very kind and thoughtful man with a great sense of humour. I especially look back with gladness on a couple of late evenings following your very generous hospitality for DoodleTrain volunteers and enjoying intelligent and friendly conversation on various things other than geophysics.

The world is a poorer place without Bill.

Please accept my sincere condolences for your great loss,

Mike Hall

It’s been very saddening to learn of Bill’s passing, even among those like me who had know him only briefly. His dedication to teach and reach so many of us through the DoodleTrain however, inspired many of us to continue with his work. My deepest condolences to Peggy and Bill’s family on behalf of a greatful DoodleTrain Committee.

Juan C. Joffre (Chair of the 2015 DoodleTrain)

Peggy and family,

My sincere condolences for your loss. I was Bill’s TA when he taught in UBC geophysics course in 1993-94 and remember him as one of the greatest teachers there. He made geophysics really fun to learn. I had the privilege to work with him very closely 1998-2001 and kept the contact since then. He has great knowledge on acquisition, processing and interpretation and I learnt a lot from him. I still remember many details of his explanations of seismic issues. Bill is very kind and always optimistic. I really feel grateful to have known him. My thoughts are prayers are with you.

Bill, Rest in Peace.

Weimin Zhang

I first met Bill, when he was a new boy, sat down beside me in grade 4, and we were told by Miss Pike that we were going to be friends. We were chums by recess, pals by lunch, and buddies by a quarter to four. A bit older (and slightly less inclined to do what we were told) we shared many beers, many renditions of “Dust in the Wind,” “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda,” “Classical Gas,” and “The Rocky Road to Dublin,” as well as an apartment in the East End of St. John’s… until he and Peggy got married.

He was my best man, twice, and I was his the only time I was needed.

These past few days, as I have reflected over the many good times I have spent with Bill and Peggy, I have been heartened by how many have come in the last two years, after the recurrence of cancer. Bill made the best of his time, and so made a better time for all of us,

A friendship like his, across 45 years and many miles, filled with good humour and deep affection, is something that I will continue to treasure. He was a very generous person, and we are all the better for it.

Belle and I extend deepest sympathy to Peggy, Katherine, Colin, and Kinsey. Although we cannot be there, we hope to see you soon.

Bill was a good friend and will be missed. Indeed.

Very sorry for your loss.

Peggy, Katherine, Colin and Kinsey

I was truly saddened to hear about Bill’s passing. I have many fond memories of the Nickerson/Pike family vacations. For me, Northern Bay Sands will always be that place we used to go to with the Nickersons. My memories of Bill are of the kind man whose infectious smile always lit up the room. Bill was the definition of “good people” and he will be missed.

My deepest sympathies,

Andrew

Dear Peggy & Family

We are very sorry to read of Bill’s passing.

Our thoughts are with you all during this time of tremendous loss.

Bill was the epitome of a true gentleman…we enjoyed our times together with all of you. He will always be remembered by our family.

May your memories bring you comfort.

I am very saddened to hear of Bill’s passing, a wonderful person taken too soon. Please accept my condolences on your loss.

It is truly a sad day. Bill was a good friend and will be sorely missed. His impact on many lives both professionally ( he taught me my first Geophysics for Geologists Course at PCP ! ) and socially is impossible to measure. Bill even dragged me out for my first game of curling – quite a humbling experience. Playing poker was “interesting” and playing Hearts ( he had a special name for the game … ) was even more so !

Miss you, buddy.

Love,

Duncan and Catherine

Peggy & Family:

I’m so sorry for your loss. Bill was a great friend & confident. I will miss him immensely. Sincerest condolences from the Hoffe Family.

Brian Hoffe

Peggy and family,

I am so sorry and deeply saddened to hear of your loss. Bill was one of the great geophysicists I had the good fortune to work with and learn from. I had the utmost respect and admiration for his knowledge, ability and innovation. I will miss him along with the Canadian geophysical community.

Please accept my sincere condolences and sympathy.

Bill Goodway

Words could never express the grief and sadness myself and Bob feel over Bill’s passing. It was always a true pleasure to be in his presence. I will always remember him as the kind, loving “gentle man” he was. I am so proud to have had him as my brother in law and see how happy he made my sister and children. Always loved and rememberd.

Cathy & Bob

Peggy and Family –

I’m very sorry for your loss. I looked up to Bill as a mentor and enjoyed his company as a friend.

Sympathies from the Blackwood Family.

Peggy & Family,

I had the privilege of working with Bill at PanCanadian and EnCana in the Deep Water Gulf of Mexico team. Bill was a good friend with a wonderful sense of humour and a great teacher. He helped me during my career in many ways. I will always carry fond memories of Bill.

My sincere condolences to the family.

Patrick Elliott

Colin,

My heart goes out to you and your family during this difficult time and I pray that you find healing and peace.

Sincerely,

Ashlea.

I worked with Bill on the SCEG Doodle Train Committee. It was my privilege to know and work with Bill. He always kept things simple and light and had great sense of humor. I will always remember how he graciously offered his house for volunteer appreciation party and everybody had such a great time there.

It felt unfair and cruel to learn first about his health and now to receive this hear-breaking news.

For some unjustified reason the best ones often go early…

Let the earth be lighter than a feather for Bill.

My deepest condolences to his family.

Svetlana Bidikhova

Peggy, Katherine, Colin and Kinsey

Kathy and I are greatly saddened by the loss of your husband and father and our dear friend Bill. We wish we could be there with you all but please accept our deepest sympathies from afar. We have many fond memories of our times together; from the early days in Vancouver with dress-up Monopoly parties; in St. John’s as we shared New Year’s Eve fireworks together with the kids; the wonderful Northern Bay Sands adventures with our, then, very young families; camping in southern BC; and many good times together in Calgary. Debates and discussions were always good, with Bill being wise, calm and considerate. He was a very good friend and we cannot believe he won’t be there when we return.

With deepest sympathy and great affection,

Kathy and Chris

Sending our Condolences to you and your

family during this difficult time .

May you hold on to all the great memories!

The Massa family

Both Debbie and I were deeply saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. He was a gentle soul who made a big impact on everyone he met. Our deepest condolences to all of you. He will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Glenn and Debbie Stanford

I was saddened by the news of Bill’s passing. I worked with Bill during his time at PCP and was fortunate to call him a colleque and freind. He was a good person and will miss his humour and love of life; which was very evident when he joined us on our annual golf trip to Palm Springs.

Sincere condolences on your loss,

Lu Scarpino

Sending all our love and prayers out to Calgary.

Remembering lots of good memories and moments of my smartest and wittiest uncle with such a warm heart.

Thinking of you guys and wish I could be there.

xoxo

Dear Peggy and family,

We are friends of Dooney’s and have been thinking of you and your family for quite a while. I feel as if we know you and Bill through Dooney who speaks so highly of all of you and loves you all so much. It sounds like your Bill was certainly an incredible man and has left a beautiful legacy. We, in Nova Scotia, are very sorry to hear your sad news and are holding you all in our thoughts, prayers and hearts.

Dear Peggy and Family: your Bill was a wonderful man. He had a real kindness about him that manifested itself in his great patience and care when working with us (his younger peers) back in the old PanCanadian days. I still remember that ineffable “Bill-ness”: that good humor that he had, which would somehow show up even in the strange little details like a PCP Math Club Lecture he gave on predictive deconvolution and comparing it to naïve weather predictions. We all looked up to Bill.

– Lee Hunt