William S Nicolas

William was born in Kafar Aka on 5 October in Al-Koura, North Lebanon in 1958. He came from an established/distinguished family with a tradition of self-improvement through education and learning. His father Spiridon was Greek Orthodox, his mother Salwa a Maronite Christian. The family owned extensive land in the Koura area including many acres of olive trees, which William inherited. William left Lebanon in 1975 in a time of war to complete his schooling in the United States of America and to then pursue his higher education there. He went to school at George Washington University in Washington DC. William chose electrical engineering because he had always excelled in the sciences at school and this appeared to offer a clear route forward into a professional career. It was becoming increasingly evident that the Civil War in Lebanon would be long and devastating, so the only route forward for the future would lie in the USA. William accepted a job with MCI, Microwave Communications Incorporated, the owner of all the technical know-how and IP in long-distance telecommunications. William was proud to be an MCI employee. Initially, he was based in the D.C. area but in 1986 was transferred to MCI's R&D operations in Richardson, Texas. After two years, he was relocated back to D.C. However, he enjoyed his stint in Texas so much; in 1989 William requested to be transferred back to Texas. William never forgot his roots. Indeed, in many ways he was as Lebanese as he was American. He loved Lebanese literature and poetry, and he followed Lebanese and Arab politics and affairs very closely. Whenever he could, he would travel back to Lebanon where he would spend most of his time with friends and family. In October 1991, William married Salwa Harb, from Tannourine in Lebanon. In 1994, their first son Spiro was born and their second son Andrew in 1998. Both have enjoyed a rich a multicultural life, acquiring knowledge of Arabic at home while leading all-American lives with their friends, at school and university. William was moving up the career ladder within MCI where his technical interests lay in long distance fibre-optic communications. In 1998, William won the HERO award in recognition for his multiple inventions, dedications and leadership. Unfortunately, a few years after that, William was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a debilitating illness affecting the intestinal tract. His quality of life became increasingly compromised and in the last few years he was often confined to bed for lengthy periods of time. In some ways, he has been blessed by an early release from his earthly shackles, and has gone early to meet his heavenly Father. His influence on his family is deep and will be long lasting. He always stood for probity and fairness with friends, family and public dealings. We all miss him dearly. William is survived by his loving wife Salwa, sons Spiro and Andrew Nicolas, siblings Hadia Nicolas, Georges Nicolas (Maureen O'Day), Samira Aballah (Nesrallah) and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother John Nicolas. The family will receive friends for a visitation Wednesday, May 25, 2016 from 6-8:00 p.m. at Allen Family Funeral Options, Plano, Texas. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated Thursday, May 26, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, Texas. A reception will be held in the Parish Hall immediately following the service. If desired, contributions may be made in William's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org/memorial or 800-873-6983.