William Arthur Hicks, age 71, of Mullen died Nov. 9, 2021, at Great Plains Health in North Platte.
William was born on Feb. 21, 1950, in Alliance, Nebraska, to William “Bill” C and Viola (Gorsuch) Hicks. He was the oldest of the three kids.
Bill was an avid team roper. The family vacations were weekends spent at the Carver Ranch roping in the summertime. Bill liked to help kids learn to rope at brandings or at ropings when they were having problems. He also enjoyed helping at the junior and high school rodeos.
Bill started his ranching career when he was in high school working north of Ashby for Vance Douglass. Bill and Artis met at a dance in Ashby. Three years later they were married on June 2, 1974. Three children were born to this union. They worked for a few ranches in the Ashby and Hyannis area before going to work for Jim O’Brien for over 32 years.
Bill enjoyed playing softball for the North Country Softball League for several years. He later took up golfing and bowling, which he really enjoyed. Bill’s main hobby after roping was ranching, which he took seriously. The ranch and the cows that he oversaw came first. The livestock came first before you went anywhere else.
Bill enjoyed watching his kids in their sports, rodeos, playing with his grandkids when they came home and have them help him feed or move cattle. He also enjoyed teasing and playing pranks on everybody. He taught his kids to work hard and to do their best in whatever they did.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, father-in-law, two sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, two nieces and a nephew.
Bill is survived by his wife of 47 years Artis of Mullen, son Willy (Stacy) of Mullen, daughters Wendy Hicks of Brunning, and Wanda (Brad) Schwisow of Western, grandchildren Schyler Schwisow, Jaycee Schwisow, Teri Jo Hicks, and Zach Hicks, sister Dorothy (Marshall) Hardin of Casper, Wyoming, brother John (Jean) Hicks of Dickenson, North Dakota, mother-in-law Carol Dubs of Ashby, brothers-in-law Dwyane Dubs of Ashby, Mick Dubs of Ashby, Loren (Diane) Dubs of Ashby, Tom Dubs of Elba, David Dubs of West Virginia, sisters-in-law Robyn Standage of Hershey, and Meladi (Mike) Roseberry of Sidney, many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces.
A celebration of life was held Nov. 13, 2021, at the Sandhills Community Bible Church in Mullen with Pastor Bob Teters officiating. Burial will be at a later date.
Memorials may be made to donor’s choice or in Bill’s honor to be designated at a later time.
Govier Brothers Mortuary of Broken Bow/Arnold/Mullen are in charge of arrangements. An online guest book may be signed at www.govierbrothers.com.