Patriotic Chepachet house garnering attention

May 26, 2016 5:37 pm

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

CHEPACHET, R.I. – A local man recently decorated the roof of his log cabin with American flags, as a patriotic tribute ahead of Memorial Day.

Thousands of specially-ordered red, white and blue shingles don the entire roof of 2150 Putnam Pike, as well as hundreds of hand-cut stars. There are four large flags in all.

“I get the chills,” says homeowner Bill Nickerson, known locally as “Wild Bill.”

It’s something he’s wanted to do for two years, but time and money always got in the way. He and his late wife had come up with the idea.

The roof is a tribute to her and to our service men and women, as well as firefighters and police officers. “I just wanted to give back to what they give us,” “Wild Bill” added.

His nephew, Albert Nickerson Jr., a roofer, helped put the roof together. It took two weeks of painstaking work, but both men were excited for the ride. “Since I was a little kid, I’ve always wanted to do something like this,” Albert said.

The house has garnered attention from people driving along the busy road. “I think it’s beautiful,” says Gloria Arsenault of Burrillville. “It’s very, very patriotic.”
“Wild Bill” hopes his newest work of art makes you smile. “There’s too much violence in the world, so I’m hoping this brings love to the people,” he added.