William John Hickl, Jr.

William John Hickl, Jr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on March 16, 2021 in Richmond, Texas. He was 82 years of age. Known as Bill to his many friends, he was born on September 29, 1938 in El Maton, Texas.

Bill grew up on a farm in El Maton where his parents taught him the values of family and where he forged a strong work ethic. He graduated from Tidehaven High School in El Maton. From there he went on to San Antonio, Texas where he attended St. Mary’s University and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1960. He was a member of Kappa Pi Sigma while attending St. Mary’s. It was in San Antonio where he met his wife, Patricia Larkin, who was attending Incarnate Word University. In 1962, a job with Standard Oil Company of Texas brought Bill and Patricia to Houston. While at Standard Oil, Bill attended night school at the University of Houston where he earned a Bachelor of Accounting Degree in 1967. After several years with Standard Oil, Bill went on to work at Coastal Corporation and then Metal Arts Company, where he served as the Company’s Controller. Metal Arts Company did not survive the Houston Oil Bust in the early 1980’s. It was then that Bill decided to become self-employed and start his own Accounting and Tax Practice where he continued to work and serve his clients up until the very end. He was dedicated to serving all his clients of which several had been with him when he started his practice in 1982 and he became friends with many of them. In 1986, Bill became certified as an Enrolled Agent to practice before the Internal Revenue Service. He was recognized by the Internal Revenue Service for passing the Special Enrollment Examination with a top 20 score of all candidates who were tested nationwide.

Bill was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and he believed his most important job was bringing up the next generation and providing them a better opportunity to succeed beyond his own success. He believed one measurement of an individual’s character could be told by the character of that individual’s children. Bill and Patricia raised two sons, a daughter, and one of their granddaughter’s. He was proud of all his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and he enjoyed spending time with them whether it was at home for a family gathering or on a family vacation that many times included his grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Patricia Dolores Hickl, by his son William John Hickl III and his wife Michelle, son Andrew Gerard Hickl and daughter in-law Jenny Hickl, his daughter Dolores Marie Hickl and husband Rodney McKelvey, his granddaughter he raised Nicole Michele Hickl and husband Asayat Camarena. He is survived by grandchildren, William John Hickl IV and wife Rebekah, Michael James Hickl and wife Sarah, Jacqueline Hickl Koeppen and husband Daniel, Kathryn Marie Hickl, Colin Andrew Hickl, Meredith Caroline Hickl, Dale Leonard Fisher, Jr. and wife Jocelyn, great-grandchildren Ta’Lia Jalen Fisher, Marcus Allen Fisher, and Leamarie Presley Camarena, and numerous siblings and other family members.

Preceded in death by his parents William John Hickl Sr. and Marie Nemec Hickl, sister Georgia Hickl Urbanovsky and brother in-law Merlin Urbanovsky Sr, sister Ann Hickl Bilicek and brother in-law Jerry Bilicek.

The Hickl Family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Bill’s caregivers at Vantage Hospice. They are truly angels on earth with the care they gave to Bill and support to our family during the last several months. Thank you, Millie, Lisa, Alvernise, and Chaplain Herman. We would also like to thank Father Mark Tran at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Richmond, Texas for his visits to Bill’s home during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, the Hickl Family is requesting donations be made in memory of William John Hickl Jr. Donations may be made to either of the following organizations: Vantage Hospice, 21720 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, Texas 77450 or KickStart Kids, 10222 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas 77042 or online at kickstartkids.org.

Please visit Bill’s online memorial tribute at www.dignitymemorial.com.

A private Visitation and Funeral Mass will be held at a later date. Please contact the Hickl Family for details or the funeral home.