William ‘Bill’ Hicks

William “Bill” Joe Hicks, 69, of Vandalia died Monday, July 10, 2017 at Tri-County Care Center in Vandalia.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 1:30 p.m., at Waters Funeral Home with the Rev. Bob Hoehn officiating. Interment will be in the Vandalia Cemetery.

Visitation will be Saturday from noon-1 p.m., at the funeral home.

He was born Aug. 11, 1947 in Mexico, the son of Houston Welch and Ina Mae Nation Hicks. He married Linda Anderson on Oct. 9, 1971 in Vandalia. She survives.

Other survivors include one son, Mark Hicks and wife, Jill of Hannibal; one daughter, Melissa Culwell and husband, Tom Culwell of Vandalia; four grandchildren, Maggie and Sophie Hicks of Hannibal; Riley and Kaylen Culwell of Vandalia; and a brother-in-law, Larry Anderson of Vandalia.

Bill was a lifelong Vandalia resident and a 1965 Van-Far High School graduate. Shortly after high school, Bill served his country in the U.S. Army and was a Viet Nam veteran. Upon returning home, he attended various tech and trade schools.

He worked at Woodward Automotive and for Francis Brenneman in the early 1970s before acquiring his own automotive business, Bill’s Automotive. He also worked part-time with the Audrain County Sheriff’s Department and the Vandalia Police Department. For several years, Bill was the Superintendent of Utilities for the city of Vandalia. He then became self-employed with his own electrician business, Hick’s Electric.

Bill became a member of Vandalia Fire & Rescue in 1976 and served as Fire Chief from 1998-2005. He was also a first responder for many years. Bill remained with the Fire Department until his illness prevented him from serving any longer.

He served as president of the Vandalia Cemetery Association until 2016. Bill had a very giving spirit and was a hero through his service to his country, his community and his family.

He was an active member of the Spencer Creek Baptist Church.

Honorary pallbearers will be Vandalia firemen.

Preceded in death by: parents; one brother, Dick Hicks.

Memorials are encouraged to St. Jude’s Hospital