Lyle Prince Nicklin, of Martinsburg, WV, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at home. He was 90.
Born February 19, 1931, in Martinsburg, he was the youngest child of the late Clarence Ward and Lillian Beatrice (Thompson) Nicklin. As a teen, he delivered newspapers to help support his mother, who had been widowed when Prince was just seven. In 1948, Prince graduated from Martinsburg High School and was hired the next year as a clerk at Standard Lime & Stone Co. He was drafted into the Korean War and, from 1952 to 1954, served in the U.S. Army, which included a tour of duty at Nancy Ordinance Depot in Nancy, France, where he was promoted to corporal. After his service, he returned to his former job at Standard Lime. In 1955, he married Teresa May Hamilton. He continued to work at Standard Lime, as it changed ownership, becoming Capitol Cement Company, then Martin Marietta, and now Essroc. In 1991, at age 61, he retired, as a personnel office administrator, after 41 years.
He was a longtime member of Winchester Avenue Christian Church, where he served for years as a Sunday School financial officer. He was a regular contributor to the Martinsburg Union Rescue Mission. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golf. He was an enthusiastic traveler, taking his family on annual summer vacations, including a memorable, three-week cross-country trip by car. In retirement, he and his wife took regular trips to Florida, went on cruises, traveled to Hawaii, and visited various other places. He enjoyed spending time with family. In recent years, he made a practice of regularly connecting by phone with friends and acquaintances. He always had a positive attitude and found great joy in small things.
He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Teresa; their two daughters, Lisa N. Cloonan (Bryan Wright), of Martinsburg; Julie N. Rubley (Steve), of Vienna, VA; one son, Bradley P. Nicklin (Kelly), of Ashburn, VA; his five beloved grandchildren, Jessica, Morgan, Kaitlyn, Ashton, and Drew, who knew him as “Pappy,” and numerous nieces and nephews. Prince was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Marie Nicklin Brown; and his brother, Herbert Ward Nicklin.
Less than a week before his death, on April 15th, Prince and Teresa celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. In February, he celebrated his 90th birthday “Covid-style” with a special video made by family members.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at 2:30 p.m.at Winchester Avenue Christian Church with Rev. Daniel Ricketts and Rev. Ben Manning officiating. Family will receive friends before the funeral, at 1:30 p.m. Per the church’s policy, masks and social distancing will be required inside the church. Families who share a home or have close contact may sit together.
Burial will be private.
Arrangements by Brown Funeral Home.