William Robert "Bill" Hicks Jr, 69, passed away Thursday August 31, 2017 at Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News, VA. He was born in Norfolk, VA on February 24, 1948. Bill joined the United States Army in 1966 beginning his service in Vietnam and was proud to serve for 20 years. Following his tour in Vietnam, he attended Rotary Wing Aviator School in Ft. Rucker, AL and piloted the OH-58a and the UH-1 "Huey" helicopters. He concluded his military service flying multi-engine fixed wing aircraft for TRADOC while stationed at Ft. Monroe, VA. He was a lifelong learner earning a Bachelor of Professional Aeronautics at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in 1979; an MBA in Management at Camden University in 1986; and a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Management at Williamstown University in 2006. Following his military service he worked at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding and Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine and as a Marine Designer at several engineering firms. He was a dedicated employee and had a dynamic personality making many lifelong friends everywhere he worked and lived. He loved to read, hike and travel.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents William R Hicks Sr. and Helen Marie (Ange); his "little" brothers Raymond Dale Hicks and Roger Earl Hicks. He is survived by his sister Helen Marie Emory and husband James Emory; his daughter Sandra Hicks Vaughan; his son William Robert Hicks III and wife Christy; his five grandchildren Christopher and Brent Diaz, Gabrielle Marshall, Ellie and Caroline Hicks; one great-grandchild Ayana Marshall; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Lory Lawson, other special friends and by Iris Marie Hicks, the mother of his children.

A memorial service will be conducted at 12 Noon on Saturday, September 16, 2017 by Lt. Michael Good at the Salvation Army, 1033 Big Bethel Rd in Hampton.

Please visit www.berceusefuneralhome.com for the extended obituary.  Arrangements are by Berceuse Funeral and Cremation Traditions, 757-825-8070.