OZARK…Mr. Justin Nichols, a resident of Ozark, died late Monday afternoon, June 8, 2026, at his home. He was 43.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, June 19, 2026, in the Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Matt Sasser officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark is in charge of arrangements.

Justin was a native of Ozark, Alabama, and a 2002 graduate of Carroll High School. After finishing school, he spent several years living in Kentucky before eventually finding his way back home to Ozark, where his heart had always been. Over the years, he worked in maintenance at Wayne Farms in Jack, Alabama, a job that fit him well because he had always loved working with his hands.

Anyone who knew Justin knew how much he enjoyed riding and repairing motorcycles. Being a “mechanic” wasn’t just something he did — it was a part of who he was. He could take things apart, put them back together, and somehow make them run better than before. He found joy in fixing things, and even more joy in sharing that passion with the people around him.

Justin had a way of enjoying life that was simple and genuine. He loved spending time with his family, whether it was a quiet moment or a loud, laughter-filled gathering. His animals were also a big part of his world, and he cared for them with the same steady kindness he showed everyone else.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jeffrey Wayne Whatley and David Andrew Whatley, as well as his brother‑in‑law, Jake Graves.

Surviving relatives include his children, Hayley Nichols, Taylor Nichols, Kaylin Nichols, Stella Nichols, and Bella Athena Nichols; his parents, Todd and Shelli Whatley, Ozark; sisters, Christine Perrone, Cullman, Alabama, Jennifer Cysewski (John), Ozark, Carmen Nichols, Croghan, New York, Ashely McDaniel (Patrick), Ozark, and Aubry Lee Martin, Yreka, California; his brothers, Todd Whatley, Jr. (Andrea), Chesterfield, Michigan and Adam Zoltan (Sarah), Seattle, Washington; nieces and nephews, Jacob Graves, Jessica Graves, Jordan Graves, Austin Perrone, Ethan Perrone, Logan Cotton, Destin Dedrick, Abigail Whatley, Makinlyn Munn, and Adalyn Whatley; several aunts, uncles, and cousins.