My first recollection of Bill Hicks was when we were both in 5th grade at Harrison Hill. We were classmates and were both in the same shop class. Bill and I had chosen the same project, a small lamp table. Near the completion of our projects, one of the tables disappeared and we both laid claim to the remaining table. We were both convinced that the surviving table was ours and would have probably fought to the death, but for the shop teacher who came up with some diplomatic solution that I don’t recall. I really don’t have any recollection as to who ended up with the table, except that it wasn’t me. So, I suppose Bill got it.
Years passed and we both forgot the fiction associated with the table and became the closest of friends. Bill was the nearest thing to the brother that I never had. Then came graduation from South Side. Bill went off to the University of Cincinnati and I, to Indiana University. In 1958 my parents moved to Brazil, S.A. and my ties to Fort Wayne were thereafter limited. However, Bill and I were able to get together occasionally during the college years and after. I was privileged to be part of the wedding party when Bill and Sally Kern “tied the knot”. I only saw Bill a couple of times during his marriage to Sally. He was doing so well during those years. He had been blessed with 2 beautiful daughters and was quickly gaining a reputation as a top commercial architect. Unfortunately, Bill and Sally broke up. After the break up and before his marriage to Macy Galbraith, Bill visited me in Fort Lauderdale on two occasions. How I cherish that time we had together and the good fellowship. Then, that special woman came into my life and I invited Bill to be in my wedding party. I next saw Bill in 1978 while attending the 20 year South Side reunion. He had been quite ill for some years and it was heartbreaking to see Bill like that. However, my wife and I had a good visit with Bill that day and I am so thankful that God gave me that opportunity for a special last visit with Bill.
Then, a few years later I received a call from Mrs Hicks informing me of Bill’s death. On my last visit to Fort Wayne in 1993, I visited with Bill’s parents. We looked at pictures of Bill and his then grown daughters and wept together. Some more years passed and I called Bill’s parents for a phone visit. Mrs. Hicks was gone. She had always been so kind to me and I felt like I had lost a good friend. Mr. Hicks was seemingly in good health.
No man ever had a better friend than Bill Hicks. What a privilege it was to have been his friend. He was always the perfect gentleman and had such a gracious spirit. I never knew a better man than Bill Hicks. I thank God for bringing this truly exceptional “best friend” into my life.
Notwithstanding the passage of time, hardly a week has passed without my thinking about Bill. My children still listen patiently to my stories about Bill, although they are starting to remind me that they have heard that one before.
Jere Kaylor Young
Written by Jere Young in memory of Bill Hicks
BILL HICKS
My first recollection of Bill Hicks was when we were both in 5th grade at Harrison Hill. We were classmates and were both in the same shop class. Bill and I had chosen the same project, a small lamp table. Near the completion of our projects, one of the tables disappeared and we both laid claim to the remaining table. We were both convinced that the surviving table was ours and would have probably fought to the death, but for the shop teacher who came up with some diplomatic solution that I don’t recall. I really don’t have any recollection as to who ended up with the table, except that it wasn’t me. So, I suppose Bill got it.
Years passed and we both forgot the fiction associated with the table and became the closest of friends. Bill was the nearest thing to the brother that I never had. Then came graduation from South Side. Bill went off to the University of Cincinnati and I, to Indiana University. In 1958 my parents moved to Brazil, S.A. and my ties to Fort Wayne were thereafter limited. However, Bill and I were able to get together occasionally during the college years and after. I was privileged to be part of the wedding party when Bill and Sally Kern “tied the knot”. I only saw Bill a couple of times during his marriage to Sally. He was doing so well during those years. He had been blessed with 2 beautiful daughters and was quickly gaining a reputation as a top commercial architect. Unfortunately, Bill and Sally broke up. After the break up and before his marriage to Macy Galbraith, Bill visited me in Fort Lauderdale on two occasions. How I cherish that time we had together and the good fellowship. Then, that special woman came into my life and I invited Bill to be in my wedding party. I next saw Bill in 1978 while attending the 20 year South Side reunion. He had been quite ill for some years and it was heartbreaking to see Bill like that. However, my wife and I had a good visit with Bill that day and I am so thankful that God gave me that opportunity for a special last visit with Bill.
Then, a few years later I received a call from Mrs Hicks informing me of Bill’s death. On my last visit to Fort Wayne in 1993, I visited with Bill’s parents. We looked at pictures of Bill and his then grown daughters and wept together. Some more years passed and I called Bill’s parents for a phone visit. Mrs. Hicks was gone. She had always been so kind to me and I felt like I had lost a good friend. Mr. Hicks was seemingly in good health.
No man ever had a better friend than Bill Hicks. What a privilege it was to have been his friend. He was always the perfect gentleman and had such a gracious spirit. I never knew a better man than Bill Hicks. I thank God for bringing this truly exceptional “best friend” into my life.
Notwithstanding the passage of time, hardly a week has passed without my thinking about Bill. My children still listen patiently to my stories about Bill, although they are starting to remind me that they have heard that one before.