José Dolores Nuila was born in Cojutepeque, Cuscatlán, El Salvador, on 28 March 1902. His parents were Eduardo Archila and Magdalena Nuila. He was a descendant of two brothers who came to El Salvador from Honduras. One stayed in Sensuntepeque and the other stayed in Cojutepeque.

Nuila was one of the first students of the Colegio Don Bosco. After studying to become a pharmacist, he underwent an exam at the National University of El Salvador. He was also a boxer from around 1920 to 1927.

José Dolores Nuila passed away in San Pedro Masahuat, La Paz, El Salvador, on 2 August 2010, at the age of 108. The municipal hospital in San Pedro Masahuat was named after him.