Mr. James William Hickey, Sr., affectionately known as Bill to family and friends, age 87 of Sparta, passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital.

Bill was born December 16, 1934 in Lebanon, TN to the late Robert Lee and Willie Belle Cope Hickey. He was a 1952 graduate of White County High School and proudly served in the United States Army from 1952-1956. After being stationed in Germany for two years, Bill went on to graduate from Tennessee Polytechnic University in Cookeville, TN in 1958 with a BS in Animal Science. He was employed by Tennessee Farmers Co-op for 40 years, retiring in 2000 after having served as Manager for Dickson County Co-op, sales representative for 27 counties surrounding White County, and as the Swine Specialist for the TN Farmers Co-op for the state of Tennessee. An avid golfer and fisherman, Bill loved University of Tennessee sports and Atlanta Braves baseball. He was a 52-year-member of the Sparta Country Club, which he supported until the end. As a lifelong member of Blue Spring Presbyterian Church, he served as Deacon, Elder and Treasurer for many years. Bill is beloved by all that he met and dearly missed by his family.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by brothers Robert Lee Hickey, Jr.; Eddie Harold Hickey & wife Martha; and Thomas R. Hickey.

Bill is lovingly survived by his wife of 61 years Ella Rice Hickey

Sons: James W. "Bill" Hickey, Jr. & wife Linda McCaskey Hickey, Timothy Lee Hickey & Melissa Gentry

Brother: John D. & wife Geraldine Hickey

Grandsons: Matthew William Hickey, Mark Thomas & Rachel Hickey

Granddaughter: Brianna Hickey

Great-grandsons: Brantley Matthew Hickey, Brooks Thomas Hickey

Funeral services will be conducted 3pm Sunday, June 26, 2022 from the Chapel of Hunter Funeral Home. Burial with full military honors by the Veterans' Honor Guard will follow in Blue Spring Cemetery. The family will receive friends after 1pm on Sunday at Hunter Funeral Home. Mike Wilson will officiate.