Joyce A. Hickman, 81, passed away on March 30, 2026. She was born on October 11, 1944, in Portsmouth, Ohio, and was a resident of Dayton, OH. Joyce was devoted, faithful, and kind-hearted, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Joyce received her high school diploma and went on to build a life marked by steady dedication and service. She retired from the Dayton Public School System after 37 years of service, leaving behind a legacy of commitment and reliability that was appreciated by colleagues and the community alike.
Joyce married the love of her life, Willis Hickman, and together they raised three children. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, whom she adored, and her love for them was evident in the care and attention she gave throughout her life.
She also gave generously of her time to others, serving as a Pack Leader for the Boy Scouts of America for 20 years—an example of her faithful spirit and her devotion to helping young people grow and thrive.
Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Willis Hickman, her mother, Mary Ruth King; her father, Burnette Spradlin; step-father, Bill Farris, her sister, Shirley Kight; and her brothers, Kenny Spradlin, Bob Spradlin, Dale Spradlin, and Doug Spradlin.
She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Wiley (Steve) of Dayton, Ohio; her son, Troy Hickman (Michelle) of Dayton, Ohio; her daughter, Michelle Kreitzer (Ken); her grandchildren, Justin, Jordan (Brittany), Megan (Kyle), Tyler (Alexis), Olivia (Zack), Heather (Eric), Sarah, Byron (Sabrina), Katie (Michael), Tori (Cody), and Josh; her fourteen great-grandchildren: Nolan, Brooklyn, Nathan, Ronan, Raelyn, Ethan, Austen, Jacob, Lillyan, Madelyn, Averie, Barrett, Karter and Hadley, her sisters, Patty Shonkwiler and Glenda Wollenhaupt; and she is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and close friends.
Visitation will be held at Tobias Funeral Home, 648 Watervliet Ave, Dayton, OH 45420, on April 2, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Funeral Service will be held at Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum, 118 Woodland Ave, Dayton, OH 45409, on April 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
