Arthur Wood McNickle, 86, Olympia, died of cancer Wednesday, Aug. 19, 1992, in Puget Sound HealthCare Center.

He was born Dec. 24, 1905, in Farnam, Neb. to Daniel Arthur and Grace (Wood) McNickle. He left the family farm at 17 and joined the Marine Corps in Chicago a year later. While stationed in Bremerton, he met Bessie May Hamer of Hoquiam and, following his honorable discharge, he was married to her on Dec. 8, 1933.

Mr. McNickle was self-employed as a mechanic and welder in Hoquiam. He then moved to Tacoma where he worked for Todd Shipyards and, for 21 years, as a maintenance engineer at the Heidelberg (later Carling) Brewery. He retired from the brewery in 1970.

An outdoorsman and lifelong member of the National Rifle Association, Mr. McNickle loved hunting, fishing, boating and debating politics.

Surviving Mr. McNickle besides his wife of the family home are a son, Daniel, Pasco; a daughter, Judy, Tumwater; a sister, Kathleen Meyers, Florence, Colo.; six grandchildren; and a great-grandson. He was preceded in death in April by his son, David, Indianola.

A private family service for Mr. McNickle will be held Saturday, Aug. 22, in Tumwater. Interment will be in Olympic Memorial Gardens, Tumwater.

The Olympian 102(173):18 Thursday, August 20, 1992