O.W. Hickey

Born November 16, 1923, and raised in the piney woods of East Texas, Oliver William (Bill) Hickey left this life on the evening of October 2nd while in residence at the home of his daughter and son-in-law in Coronado’s Camp. He was 91. After graduating from what is now the University of Texas at Arlington in 1942, Bill entered the U.S. Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet. Upon finishing his training, he proudly served as a B-17 flight instructor at Air Bases in both Chandler and Kingman, Arizona throughout the duration of the war. Upon discharge in 1945, Bill married his high school sweetheart, the former Faylene Isbell. They began their life’s journey in Fort Worth where Bill secured a position with the engineering consulting firm of Freese & Nichols. Along with Jack Covington, he was relocated to Abilene in early 1946 where he assisted Jack in establishing a branch office to provide consulting services to existing Rural Electrification Administration (REA) co-ops in Stamford, Merkel, Colorado City, Coleman and Stanton. REA expansion soon followed and broadened to include telephone services in 1953. Bill made the decision to stay with Jack after they separated from Fresse & Nichols in 1951, and remained with him until 1972 when he seized an opportunity to return to his East Texas roots by accepting an offer to manage Etex Telephone Co-op in Gilmer, Texas, where he remained for the next 20 years. This was an especially fulfilling time for Bill since he was now able to be in the frequent company of his dad who was still somewhat active in his life-long cattle business. Retirement in 1992 brought Bill and Faye back to Abilene where they re-established old friendships and made new ones. He had seriously taken up golf after a stint coaching baseball in the early 1960s, and now took full advantage by joining a regular group as well as partnering with his daughter and son-in-law in some club tournaments. Other than completely spoiling his dog, Spanky, Bill’s other mainstay activity was his coffee group “membership” within an ever-changing cast of characters whose company he thoroughly enjoyed. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Faye, and one sister, Bonnie Poole. He is survived by his son Steve Hickey and his wife Terry; his daughter Janice and son-in-law Jim Tatum; grandsons Larry Tatum and wife Lynette, Trey Good and wife Kim; granddaughters Lisa Lackey and husband Gary, and Kristy Kahler; great-grandsons Justin Tatum and wife Alicia, John Austin Tatum, and Dalton Howell; great-granddaughter Kelsey Good; and great-great-grandson Hudson Tatum. The family is so thankful for the wondrous service provided by the Hospice Foundation during Dad’s final months, and we pray for God’s continued blessing for all their future efforts. Our heartfelt appreciation is extended as well to Glen Brown and Tammy Smith for their years of faithful friendship and service. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 8th, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, with Dr. Phil Christopher officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the association or charity of your choice.