William Bruce Hicks died Sunday, July 21, 2013, at his home on St. Simons Island, Georgia. He was the loving husband of the recently deceased Phyllis Jean Hicks for 66 years and father of their two children, Diane K. Hardin of St. Simons Island, Georgia and Christopher J. Hicks of New York, New York. Known to all as Bill, he lived through of the tumultuous changes brought on by the 20th and 21st centuries. He was known as a strong, principled man who will be deeply missed. Born May 9, 1925, in Washington Courthouse, Ohio, he was the sole son of Cheney S. and Gertrude P. Hicks. He was profoundly influenced by his parents' perseverance throughout the Great Depression, and it would be those early examples of what a person could accomplish, in the face of hardship, which would prove so formative to the courage and industriousness Bill exhibited throughout his life and career. He grew up in Dayton, Ohio, where he attended Fairmont High School and met the love of his life, Phyllis J. Augsburger, in a high school play. Bill attended college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was enlisted in the Navy V-12 program. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in three years through the accelerated V-12 program, and was sent to report in San Diego, California, with instructions to prepare for the war effort to invade Japan. Shortly thereafter, the war came to a close. Reunited with his family and Phyllis, he returned to Dayton and began working for Monsanto at the Manhattan Project research laboratory known as the Dayton Project, and later known as Mound Laboratory. Bill Hicks and Phyllis Augsburger were married in 1947, and subsequently moved to St. Louis, Missouri, as his career with Monsanto continued to develop. Bill assumed Directorship of European Operations in 1966, and moved the family to Brussels, Belgium. This period of his life was one of his favorites, and he would frequently recall memories of his family's time spent in Europe, especially those involving the lifelong friendships that resulted from his post. Bill's work ethic preceded him, and after returning to St. Louis in 1969 until his retirement in 1985, he was regarded as an intelligent man who spoke fairly and in support of what he believed was right. Bill and Phyllis retired to St. Simons Island in 1987, where they enjoyed time with family and friends, and became actively involved in the community. He joined the Rotary Club of St. Simons Island, hosted social get-togethers at their home known as 'Attitude Adjustment' meetings and enjoyed golfing with their friends. To the great sadness of her husband, family and friends, Phyllis passed away on June 25, 2013. Bill is remembered as a courageous and compassionate man who sought solutions to the challenges that life presented, and his passing grieves us all as we feel the loss of someone who touched us so deeply. He will be remembered for his frank practicality, fair heart, and the loving support he gave all those around him. In addition to his children, he is survived by his grandsons, Riley Hicks, New York, New York, and Will Hardin, Austin, Texas, and his nieces, Jill Crane, Baltimore, Maryland and Linda Jordan, Beaver Creek, Ohio. A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 3, at 11:30 a.m. at Oglethorpe Memorial Gardens, St. Simons Island. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations may be made in memory of Bill Hicks to the St. Simons Island Rotary Scholarship Fund, P O Box 21887, St. Simons Island, GA 31522. Reception to follow service. Brunswick Memorial Park Funeral Home is serving the family of William Bruce Hicks. Please sign the online guest book at www.brunswickmemorialpark.com