Wiley "Gator" Hicks

Wiley E. “Gator’ Hicks was born in Tahlequah, OK, the son of Tom and Ellen (Ballew) Hicks. Wiley, or Gator to his family and friends, grew up in the Burnt Cabin area and graduated from Tahlequah High School. Early in life, he came to appreciate and was proud to be a member of the United Keetoowah Band of the Cherokee. In 1973, he married Mary J. (Hair) Wynos, but sadly, they were to divorce many years later. This union was blessed with two children, one son, Jammie “Bubba” Hicks and one daughter, Naomi k. Sanders. Wiley attended the truck driving program at Bill Willis Vocational Center, and began his career as a long haul trucker, traveling all over the country. He worked this profession for over 20 plus years, working for several different trucking companies, Kaywood trucking, Stilwell Foods, and Tyson Foods to name a few. He took great pride in being a trucker, to provide for his family. He enjoyed taking family out on the road with him, and enjoyed taking his children and grandson for rides in his big truck, and the best part was they got to pull the horn. Wiley retired in 2015 to enjoy the simple life and do the things he wanted to do, before his health began to fail him. He liked trips to the library to get books to read, watching movies, watching videos on Youtube, listening to music, going on the occasional drive, hunting and his absolute favorite, doing a little fishing. He had lived in Idaho for over 20 years and had returned to Oklahoma, he loved hunting in the mountains. He loved time spent with his children, son-in-law and his grandson, often cooking a meal for them. He also enjoyed visiting with extended family and friends. Wiley was truly loved and will be dearly missed.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Tom and Ellen Hicks, one brother, Tommy Hicks, sisters, Jody Espinoza, Lena Christie, and Sally Adcock, and one grandbaby, Baby Sanders.

He leaves behind a very loving family, his son, Bubba Hicks of Stilwell, OK, his daughter, Naomi K. Sanders and husband Frankie of the home, grandson Tyrin “Little Fox” Sanders and companion Tina Butler, two brothers, Leroy Hicks and wife Patricia of Burnt Cabin, Alvin Hicks and wife Donna of Tahlequah, Ok, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention. Until we meet again, rest in peace Daddy. We Love you.

Funeral services for Wiley E. “Gator” Hicks will be held at Reed-Culver Funeral Home on Thursday, March 17th, 2022 at 2:00PM with Pastor Jason Ritchie officiating. His family will have a visitation on Wednesday, March 16th, 2022 beginning at 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Reed-Culver Funeral Home. Online condolences for his family may be left at www.reedculver.com.