Final Salute

William “Bill” Lee Hicks, 76, Gardner, Kansas passed away Monday, June 2, 2025. Funeral service with Military Honors, will be June 21, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church, 138 E. Shawnee St., Gardner, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or United States Navy Seabee Foundation. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com

Bill was born in Ellsworth, Kansas on February 26, 1949, son of John and Dorothy Mae (Ranker) Wilbur. He grew up in Ellsworth, Kansas and later lived in Falun, Kansas for 20 years before moving to Gardner 14 years ago. Bill worked as a corrections officer at Ellsworth Correctional Facility, retiring in 2009. He married Marie Sorensen on December 11, 1972 in Chapman, Kansas. Bill was a United States Veteran of the Navy Seabees, serving during Vietnam. He retired from the Navy Reserve. Bill was a member of Falun Lutheran Church. He loved to fish, do woodworking, watch western movies and listen to classic country music. Bill was a member of the Boys Scouts, Order of the Arrow and the VFW. He cherished his dogs Charli and Sarge.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents John and Dorothy and his sister Shirley Westfall. He is survived by his wife Marie of the home; daughter Patricia Pacey, Gardner, Kansas; son Joshua (Kara) Hicks, Omaha, Nebraska, brother Robert (Carol) Hicks, Buckeye, Arizona , brother in-law Harry Westfall, Pendleton, Oregon and grandchildren: Thomas Pacey, Kyler Pacey, Easton Pacey, Kallista Hildebrand, Katracy Hicks and Kalina Hicks.