William Bane "Bill" Hicks III

William Bane (Bill) Hicks III, passed away on Monday, April 6, 2026, at the United Hospital Center in Bridgeport, WV. Born December 8, 1943, in Biloxi MS, Bill, the only child of the late William “Buddy” Hicks and Betty Lou (Neff) Hicks, spent the majority of his 82 years in Buckhannon, WV.

Bill graduated from Buckhannon Upshur High School in 1962 and West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1966, then received his MBA from Stephen F. Austin University in the early 1970s. After graduation from Wesleyan, he worked for Kelly Springfield Tire in Maryland and Texas, and Cantex Inc. in Texas before the hills of Buckhannon, WV called him home in 1977 where he remained except for a recent, short stay in the Elison at Maplewood in Bridgeport, WV. Upon return to WV, he worked in the mining industry, for J.D. Hinkle and Sons Inc., and at WVWC.

His love for his Upshur County roots was evident from the joy he found fishing, feeding wildlife, reading about local events, or talking about the history of the area. He enjoyed playing bridge, family vacations at the beach, traveling abroad in recent years, getting a bargain at an auction, and collecting antiques, but truly had a passion for philately. This lifetime activity of collecting stamps began when he was hospitalized with polio at the age of six and continued even after his move to the Elison.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Stein and Stella Neff, paternal grandparents William Bane “Will” and Mary Glen (Snyder) Hicks, and many aunts and uncles.

Bill is survived by three sons, William Scott Hicks and wife Suzette of Letart, WV, Steven Hicks and wife Robin of Clarksburg, WV, Jonathan Hicks and wife Virginia of Buckhannon, WV; eight grandchildren, Chelsea Hicks, Bailey Perry and husband Anthony, William Mason Hicks and wife Whitney, Lily Hicks and Ryan Wright, Christian Hicks and wife Sofia, Emma Wyre and husband Chris, Bianca Hicks, and Bramer Hicks; three great-grandchildren Oliver Perry, Elliott Perry, and William Graham Hicks; one great-grandchild due to arrive in May; his partner Peggy; the mother of his children, Kathy Payton; and several cousins.

Bill’s wish for cremation has been honored. Following a private inurnment at Heavener Grove cemetery in Buckhannon, a memorial service officiated by family friend, Pastor Clark Baisden, will be held in the American Legion Post 7, 16 Kanawha St. Buckhannon, WV at 12noon on Saturday April 25, 2026 followed by a time for friends and loved ones to visit and share memories of Bill.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.