William Wickham Jr.

William S. Wickham Jr., 62, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, July 7, 2003, at his home.

He was born June 14, 1941, in Cape Girardeau, son of William S. and Mary Evelyn Martin Wickham Sr. He and Sharon L. Patterson were married Oct. 17, 1970, in Thebes, Ill.

Mr. Wickham was a 1959 graduate of Central High School and was active in football and track. He played baseball with Babe Ruth and Connie Mack leagues.

He was employed by AmerenUE 40 years, and had also worked at Ford and Sons Funeral Home two different times.

Mr. Wickham was a member of St. Mark's Lodge 93 AF&AM and current master; York Rite bodies; Moolah Shrine; Cape Shrine Club clown and second vice president; Order of Amaranth, Cape Court 14, currently a royal patron; Order of Eastern Star, St. Mark Chapter 167; Order of White Shrine of Jerusalem 8; Sword of Bunker Hill; lifetime member and deacon of First Presbyterian Church; and former member of Toastmasters International.

He had been active in Boy Scouts of America since May 1975. He was a scoutmaster 30 years with Troop 4 at First Presbyterian Church, scoutmaster three years of Troop 5 with VFW, and was assistant scoutmaster five years with Troop 2 at Grace United Methodist Church.

Mr. Wickham was awarded the Silver Beaver, Order of the Arrow Vigil, Award of Merit, Hometown Hero Award for Life Saving, and the Red Cross Life Saving Award.

He served in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard.

Survivors include his wife; a son, William S. Wickham III of Eureka, Mo.; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Kim and Greg Gross of Scott City, Beth and Paul Wells of Anna, Ill., Margery Wickham of Cape Girardeau; three grandchildren, Michael Gross and wife Kandi, Keith Gross and Paige Wells.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. today. A Masonic service by St. Mark's Lodge 93 will be held at 7, followed by an Amaranth service at 7:30.

The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Paul Kabo Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park, with graveside rites by VFW Post 3838.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2001 Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. 63131.