William Edward Hickman

William Edward ?Bill? Hickman, age 61, of Blountville, died Friday, February 23, 2007 at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center of T-cell Lymphoma. He lived and died surrounded by love.

Bill attended King College and graduated from East Tennessee State University. He retired in 1999 from Eastman Chemical Company after 32 years of service and while there, he was responsible for the design of various engineering projects both locally and abroad. He worked as a tax preparer at H&R Block and did engineering consultant work during his retirement. He also taught several classes for the Kingsport City Schools Adult Program. Bill retired as First Sergeant from TRP F 2/278th ACR of the Tennessee Army National Guard in 1994.

Bill was a member of Cassidy United Methodist Church in Kingsport.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Hal Howard and Emma Sue Hickman.

He is survived by his wife Nancy Hubble Hickman; two daughters and a son-in-law, Reneé Hickman of Knoxville and Nicole and Rick Phelps of Asheville, granddaughters, Stella and Rain; sister, Barbara Sue Hickman and her husband Lynn; niece, Tracy Sue Descamps and her husband Brian and son Benjamin; mother-in-law, Beulah Hubble; brother-in-law, Ronnie Hubble and his wife Laura; sister-in-law Merlie ?Chubby? Johnson and her husband R.B.; brother-in-law Roger Hubble and Ruth.

The family appreciates the staff of Holston Valley Wellmont Center, especially Dr. Russell Mader, Dr. James Herman, Dr. Mack Matthews, Dr. Jeff Summers, ?Kathy?, and ?Jane? who supported them in unifying medicine, faith, hope, and love.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport.

Services will follow at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with his pastor, Rev. Robert Burlingham officiating and memories shared by his daughters, Nicole and Reneé. The Trilogy will provide music.

Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at Gunnings Cemetery with military rites by the Tennessee National Guard.

Pallbearers will be Gabe Hubble, Josh Hubble, Ben Hubble, Brian Descamps, Rick Johnson, and Christopher Caldwell. Honorary pallbearers will be the women and men of the Holston High School Class of ?64.

Memorials can be made to Cassidy United Church 5801 Memorial Blvd., Kingsport 37664 or the Sullivan County Humane Society 2141 Idle Hour Road, Kingsport 37660.