WILLIAM HICKS

CAIRO, Ill. -- William Silas Hicks, 79, of Cairo died Tuesday, June 3, 1997, at Clermont Mercy Hospital in Batavia, Ohio.

He was born Aug. 31, 1917, in Madison, Ala., son of William Archie and Rachel Sammons Hicks. His wife, Willie May, died in 1996.

Hicks was employed 20 years by Cairo Fire Department, and worked 20 years at Servicemaster. He was a member of Washington Avenue Baptist Church, and past commander of Cairo American Legion Post. He was a veteran of World War II.

Survivors include two sons, Bobby Whitis of Cairo, Anthony Whitis of St. Louis; a sister, Carrie Bailey of Winter Haven, Fla.; seven grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

Friends may call at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo after 5 p.m. Friday, and Saturday from 9-11 a.m. at Washington Avenue Church.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Richard Pigg officiating. Burial will be in Green Lawn Memorial Gardens at Villa Ridge.