William R. Hicks

COAL CITY—William R. “Bill” Hicks, 90, of Coal City, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020 at his home.
Born Sept. 26, 1929 in Mousie, KY, William Ralph was a son of Adam and Mary (Mullins) Hicks. He was raised in Mousie and graduated from Four Mile High School. Bill entered into the United States Marine Corps where he went on to honorably serve for 32 1⁄2 years, retiring as a Sergeant Major. Following his retirement from the military, Bill gained employment with Johnson and Johnson Personal Products in Wilmington, where he worked as a maintenance supervisor for several more years.
Bill loved to fish, garden and hunt in years past. He enjoyed feeding the squirrels and birds, and just spending time in his man cave.
Survivors include his wife, Charlene (nee Zerboglio), who he married on Feb. 26, 1972; four children: Terry (Debora) Hicks, of Dayton, OH; Nella (Rick) Hill, of Beavercreek, OH; Robert (Kimberly) Hicks, of New Lebanon, OH and Jennifer (Jeremy) Shaw, of Rock Island, IL; 11 grandchildren: Terry J. (Nikki) Hicks, Susan Carol Hardy, Amy (Ted) Terrell, Wendy (Mark) Ballard, Lindsey (William) Elms, Tiffany Fogle, Crystal (Christopher) Crane, Kathleen (Ray) Cooper, Carolyn Hicks, Alex Shaw and Peter Shaw, and numerous great-grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Susan Elizabeth in infancy; one brother, Albert Tom and one sister, Margaret Lee.
A private family visitation was held, and cremation rites were accorded.
Bill will be laid to rest in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery with full military honors.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Bill’s memory to Joliet Area Community Hospice.
Family and friends are encouraged to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Bill’s memorial page online through social medial by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com/obituary/William-Hicks
Funeral services and cremation arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City.