William E. Nickerson; Owned Lumberyard

William Eugene Nickerson, retired co-owner of Nickerson Lumber & Plywood in North Hollywood, has died at his Toluca Lake home. He was 53.

Nickerson died Friday of complications of a brain tumor, said his wife, Nancy Haber Nickerson.

Nickerson graduated from Van Nuys High School in 1957.

After serving in the Marine Corps from 1957-59, Nickerson formed a partnership in 1961 with the late Albert J. Foreman, then owner of Barrington Plywood, which was eventually absorbed into Nickerson Lumber & Plywood. Both partners retired in 1981 and sold the wholesale lumberyard to their employees.

Nickerson and Foreman continued as partners, developing industrial properties in North Hollywood and Gardena.

In 1989, at 51, Nickerson earned a degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.

Nickerson, a champion handball player, was involved for many years with the Arnold Buckley Sports Chapter of the City of Hope and helped raise funds for the UCLA Medical Center Brain Tumor Division.

In addition to his wife of three years, Nickerson is survived by his son, Scott Brian Nickerson of Woodland Hills; daughter Kimberley Teresa Nickerson of Van Nuys; brother Ron Nickerson of Santa Monica; sisters Carole Johann of Crescent City, Calif., Brenda McPherson of Toledo, Wash., and Lillian (Toddy) Fernandez of Sylmar; his first wife, Susan Rowen of Encino; and one grandson.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. today at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 580 Hilgard Ave., Westwood. Pierce Brothers Valhalla Mortuary in North Hollywood is handling the arrangements. Donations can be made in Nickerson’s name to the UCLA Board of Regents for brain tumor research by Dr. Keith Black.