Published November 1, 2019
VALRICO, Fla. — William L. “Bill” Hicks Sr., 81, of Valrico, Fla., formerly of Melrose, passed away at the Brandon Regional Hospital on Brandon, Fla. on Oct. 21, 2019.
Bill was born in Chelsea, raised in East Boston and a graduate of Joseph H. Barnes High School in East Boston. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Marines and resided in Melrose for 40 years.
Bill was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and had a try out as a left handed pitcher for the Red Sox. He owned The Dug Out baseball card store in Melrose, loved Suffolk Downs and had his own race horse. Bill enjoyed traveling to New Hampshire with his family to Clark’s Trading Post, Storyland, Santa’s Village, Six Gun City and owned a home in Whitefield, N.H.
He was the beloved husband of the late Frances A. “Fran” (Dargan) Hicks for 43 years. Devoted father of Deirdre Lopez and her husband Oscar of Derry, N.H., William L. Hicks Jr. and his wife Judith of Melrose, Shawn Hicks and his spouse Philip Galotta of Fla., Daniel Hicks and his wife Christen Mills of Walpole and Jason Hicks of Fla. Cherished grandfather of Nicholas and Bianca Lopez and Mary, Luke and Max Hicks. Brother of Les Hicks, Charles Hicks, Eleanor Hurley, Robert Hicks and late George Hicks, Nathalie Kivley, John Hicks and Ruth Batchelder. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visiting hours were held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Procession from the Gately Funeral Home on Wednesday, Oct. 30, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St. Wakefield. Relatives and friends were invited. Interment in Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105. To sign online condolence visit www.gatelyfh.com.
