Martin W. Hicks

Martin W. Hicks, 84, died Saturday, December 09, 2006 at a local hospital. A funeral service, with Mr. Stephen Johnson officiating, will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 11 in the Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Burial will follow in the McCaulley Cemetery. Martin Weldon Hicks was born to Charles Martin Hicks and Eula Mae Moore Hicks on April 4, 1922 in Frederick, Oklahoma. He was the middle child; both siblings, Ben Hicks and Madeline Hicks Sampson, have preceded him in death. The family moved to Whiteface, Texas where "Sonny" completed 10 years of school before enlisting in the Army Air Corp during World War II. After flying in the Asiatic/Pacific theater for four years, M. W. vowed never to fly again. A promise he kept until his death on December 9, 2006 in Abilene, Texas. In 1947, Mr. Hicks married Alla Muriel Clark. They have three children: Randy Hicks of Matador, Texas; Gary Hicks of Buffalo Gap, Texas; and Sharon Hicks Bishop of Midland, Texas. He is survived by his wife and children. They have seven grandchildren: Kevin Hicks of Austin, Jason Hicks of San Antonio, Lara Hicks Escobar of College Station, Brad Hicks of Dallas, Kale Hicks Flordelis of Yucaipa, California, Andre Elmore Kemp of Levelland, and Rene Elmore McClure of Amarillo. Eleven and one-half great-grandchildren admire and love their Grand Daddy. M. W. worked in the oil field for many years in the Seminole and Denver City area and then became a licensed plumber and housing contractor. He also worked as director of maintenance for the Kermit ISD for several years. After retirement, he and Muriel moved to Buffalo Gap to raise a garden and watch their family expand. Sonny is remembered as a kind and generous man who always rooted for Oklahoma in a football game. He was a man who lived his religious convictions and leaves a legacy of patriotism, honor and respect to his family and friends.