William A. "Bill" Hickman

William ""Bill"" Hickman, 85, beloved husband and father, passed away June 8, 2014 in D'Iberville. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Jacqueline Hickman, son, William Michael Hickman, father, Elvey Hickman, mother, Carrie Hickman, mother, Carrie Hickman LaRush, sister, Floye Hartel, and brother John Hickman.
He is survived by his children, Patricia Murray (Francis) of D'Iberville, Glenda Holifield (Glen), John Hickman (Amy) of Biloxi, and William Hickman, Jr. (Debbie) of St. Martin; sisters, Eweather Stephens and Evelyn Howe of Indiana, Linda Pott of St. Louis, MO, and Dorothy Merrill of Gulfport; sister-in-law Carole Brown of St. Martin; grandchildren: Nicole Johns, Mickey Miller, Derek Murray, Jacob, Jason, Ashley and Billy Hickman, Casey Lott, Kathy Byrd, and James Holifield; great-grandchildren: Blaine Pendleton, Jaelyn Bethmann, and Isabelle Johns; numerous nieces and nephews; extended family, Donald Miller, Mary, Robin, and Patrick Bailey, and close neighbors Randy and Deborah Lundy.
Bill was born in Peave, MS. His family moved to the coast in 1943 where he attended Biloxi High School. Before graduation Billy enlisted and proudly served as a U.S. Marine, serving from 1947 - 1951 and obtained his GED. He was employed by the U.S Postal Service for over 40 years. While working one of his mail routes he met and became close friends with Wilfred Gorenflo, owner of Gorenflo's Tackle Shop. Wilfred taught him how to build custom fishing rods and repair reels. After Mr. Gorenflo's passing, Billy carried on the coast tradition for many years, until cancer forced him to retire. He was a 26 year cancer survivor and proud of it. He was an Elk and a life time member of the Biloxi Elk's Club. He loved fishing with family and friends and was an avid Saints fan. Billy never met a stranger and enjoyed hanging out with the coffee bunch at the mall as much as he did his wife's cooking.
The family wishes to extend their thanks to the staff at Greenbriar Nursing Home for the excellent care they provided to their father.
The funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2014 at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 274 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi, where friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers his family requests memorial donations to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or Wounded Warriors (www.woundedwarriorproject.org)