William Herman Ficken

Bill was born in Greenport, NY, the first child of Herman and Vicky Ficken. At age three, his only sister, Betty, joined the family. Growing up on Long Island, Bill spent his childhood boating and swimming in the summer and playing pick-up hockey games in the winter. He was also active in Boy Scouts, and after learning the saxophone at 12 years of age, Bill joined local “big band” groups that played at restaurants, weddings, and local parties.

In 1947, Bill’s family moved to Patchogue, NY and across the street from the Wade family. Bill immediately became good friends and classmates with Neil Wade - but eventually became better friends with Neil’s younger sister, Ellie. In 1953, Bill left for Union College in Schenectady, New York. After graduating from Union with a degree in Economics, Bill joined the United States Air Force and was stationed in Texas for three years. After reaching the rank of Captain, Bill completed his service and gave Ellie an engagement ring for her college graduation. The two were married in Patchogue the day after Christmas in 1960.

To provide for his new wife, Bill began a career in business. The newlyweds first moved to Pittsburgh, where they had their first son, Wade. Following his work in Pittsburgh, the young family moved to Atlanta where they had their second son, David. A month after David was born, the four Fickens moved to New Orleans. Seeking to take advantage of the budding computer industry, the family then moved five years later to Montgomery. Bill and Ellie settled in Montgomery where they lived for 56 years in the same house they purchased in 1970.

Shortly after moving to Montgomery, Bill followed his passion for finance and helping others and began a career in financial planning. Bill actively served his clients and later his clients’ children and grandchildren until he sold his business in 2019.

Immediately upon their arrival in Montgomery, Bill became a recognized member of the community, serving as an officer in the local Dixie Youth Baseball organization, a Scout Leader, and the Administrative Board at First United Methodist Church.

In 1976, Bill and Ellie welcomed their third son, Wes, and later in 1978, completed their family with their fourth son, Charles. With Bill’s guidance - and active participation - all four sons became Eagle Scouts, excelled in academics, sports, music, and service, and earned Master’s Degrees in their chosen fields.

In the early 1990s, while serving on the Board of Covenant Family Ministries, Bill had a pivotal encounter with the Promise Keeper Ministry. In summary, the Promise Keepers changed the way Bill approached the second half of his life. He began to live boldly for Christ in his personal and professional life, re-examine the way he loved his wife and four sons, and unashamedly share the gospel. From his first encounter with Promise Keepers to the end of his life, Bill was committed to personal Bible study and prayer, sought to serve all those he met, and actively participated in the growth of Easten Hills and Vaughn Forest Baptist churches. At Eastern Hills, Bill was a Deacon, Chairman of the Deacons, RA Leader, active participant in Carpenters for Christ, and a faithful member of the choir and Men’s Ministry. At Vaughn Forest, Bill served on the Governance Board, served as a trustee, conducted financial planning seminars, and remained active in the church’s Prison Ministry and Men’s Ministry. During this time, Bill also picked up his saxophone again. Into his 60s and 70s, Bill played in the church orchestra, the Montgomery Community Band, and the local entertainment group, “The Upbeats.” Continuing to serve the Lord faithfully into his 90s, Bill was an active member of Bible Study Fellowship and the Gideons. As a gifted financial planner, Bill was committed to the success and financial security of his clients, but as he aged, he became more interested in the eternal security of everyone around him.

Bill is survived by his sister, Betty Bowen, Ellie, his wife of 65 years, his four sons, three daughters-in-law, eleven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren - with two more on the way.

Those wishing to donate in Bill’s honor are encouraged to give to any of the ministries he loved and supported, including Family Teams for Life (formerly Covenant Family Ministries), First Choice (formerly Sav-A-Life), or Vaughn Forest Church.