Hickling Jr., William Clark

William Clark Hickling Jr., 88, of Christiansburg and formerly of Fletcher, N.C. passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2013, at his son’s home in Christiansburg. He was born in Moose Lake, Minn. He lived on his parents’ farm through the Great Depression with many days of drought and dust bowls. After graduating from high school, Bill received an appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y. While on sea duty he developed rheumatic fever and was hospitalized for five months at the United States Marine Hospital. After recuperating, Bill enrolled at the University of Minnesota earning a degree in Wildlife Management. In 1946, he married his wife, Helen, which he described as the “best thing.” They spent a wonderful life of 64 years together raising their four children and making friends through their travels and dedication to the Episcopal Church. Bill took his family everywhere during his career as a wildlife biologist and manager for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Bill and Helen enjoyed living in many parts of the country and developed many lifelong friendships along the way. Early in their marriage, Bill was stricken with polio that affected him greatly in his later years. Bill was a wonderful father to his four children, grandfather to his ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and a much respected leader in his field of work. He was an active member of the Calvary Episcopal Church in Fletcher and loved the environment, animals and birds of the many locations that he called home. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Virginia Hickling; his loving wife, Helen; his eldest son, William C. Hickling III.; and his granddaughter, Danielle Starr. He is survived by his three children and their families, Claudia Starr, Daniel and Anne Hickling, Andrew and Sabrina Hickling; nine grandchildren, Tregei and Paul Beare, Ariel Starr; Andrew, Christopher and Alexandra Hickling; Kate and William Clark Hickling IV, Rebecca, Laura, and Laban Hickling;and two great-grandchildren, Benjamin Beare and Abigail Hickling, and very special friends, Ian Bishop, Suzann and Aurthur Lancaster, Shanna Montgomery, Scarlet Stump, and Bill and Helen’s beloved cat, Franklin. The family would like to thank Shanna’s and Scarlet’s families for sharing these two wonderful friends with us, Dr. Scott Jamison and his staff for their great care and friendship, Rector Scott West for his friendship and spiritual comfort, and Intrepid Hospice for their friendship and care. Plans for a memorial service at Christ Episcopal Church in Blacksburg are pending. Online condolences may be sent by visiting hornefuneralservice.com. Arrangements are being handled by our friends at Horne Funeral Home & Crematory.