William H. Hickey (Bill), 84, of Boalsburg, died Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, at Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College. He was born Oct. 17, 1925, at Geisinger Medical Centre, in Danville, the only child of the late William R. Hickey and Edith Lu Fenstermacher. On June 30, 1951, he married Beverly J. Corman who survives at home.
He was a 1943 graduate of State College High school where he lettered in many sports including football, basketball and track. In 1943, Bill enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he served in the 2nd AACS (Army Airways Communication System), 12th Air Force in North Africa and France until 1946. He graduated from Penn State University in 1951 with a physical education degree. He attained a master's degree in 1953 in recreation. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and Phi Epsilon Pi Honorary Fraternity and played on the Penn State Lacrosse team.
After spending two years as the director of the Tyrone YMCA, Bill enlisted in the FBI Academy. He spent the next eight years working as a special agent under J. Edgar Hoover. Among his notable investigations were the Brinks bank robbery, Jimmy Hoffa jury tampering and the Scarboro espionage case.
Bill retired from the bureau in 1961 to assist in his fathers business. He has served as President and CEO of W. R. Hickey Beer Distributor until present. During his tenure of almost fifty years, the company has grown to be one of the areas leading businesses.
He was a member of Mount Nittany United Methodist Church, a Life Member of the Penn State Alumni Association, Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Post 1600 and the American Legion Post 245 both of State College. He was very civic minded and had strong family values. Aside from his hobbies and business interest, Bill was deeply devoted to his family.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Jon B. Hickey and Chris Hickey, both of State College; a daughter Molly Hickey-Hartman, from Linden Hall; and two grandchildren, Beverly A. Hartman and Ronald William Hickey Hartman, of Linden Hall. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, William K. Hickey.
There will be a public visitation Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009, from 1-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Koch Funeral Home in State College. Funeral services will be held, Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, at 10 a.m. at Mount Nittany United Methodist Church, 1500 East Branch Road, Lemont, with Pastor Carl Hill officiating. Burial will be in Centre County Memorial Park following the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Juniata Valley Council, BSA, (Seven Mountains Boy Scouts Camp) 9 Taylor Drive, Reedsville, PA 17084, or Mount Nittany United Methodist Church, 1500 East Branch Road, State College, PA 16801.