For over 20 years Dr. William C. Nicholas, “Dr. Nick”, was the heart and soul of the West Virginia Memorial Day Parade.  He, along with others, formed the West Virginia Memorial Day Committee, Inc. He strived to honor the holiday along with bringing joy to the thousands of patrons that attended the annual parade including the National Cemetery Programs at the Grafton National Cemetery and the West Virginia National Cemetery.  He devoted a huge part of his life and personal finances to make Memorial Day be remembered and shine for the City of Grafton, State of West Virginia and the United States.  He received the Distinguished West Virginian Award for service to the WV Memorial Day Committee awarded May 30, 1999 by Gov. Cecil Underwood.  He was also a licensed pyro technician and provided the fireworks for the Memorial Day weekend and for the Taylor County Fair.  Sadly and suddenly we lost Dr. Nick in March of 2009.  In 2018 friends and committee members passed a motion to honor him by presenting an award in his name.  Each year we remember “Dr. Nick” with the William C. Nicholas Memorial Award by presenting it to a person/company that has continuously supported the committee and community during the Memorial Day weekend. 

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2018 Amy Summers-West Virginia House of Delegates

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2019 Toothman Ford- JR Toothman

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2020 Donald G. Ford Funeral Home-Donald G. Ford/ R&R Services-Jeff Robinson, Gary Rucker

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2021 City of Grafton Police Department, City of Grafton Fire Department, Taylor County Sheriff’s  

          Department, Taylor County Emergency Squad

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2022 City of Grafton and Taylor County Commission

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2023 Grafton High School Musical Department & Taylor County Middle School Musical Department

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2024 CG&J Towing & Nicholson Auto Inc