Terlton Cemetery

Terlton, Pawnee County, Oklahoma

© Chapman-Black and Poteet Funeral Home

Submitted by: Terry Dudley

William Dale Hickson, Sr

Dec 18, 1938 ~ Oct 5, 2026

William Dale Hickson, Sr. passed from this life on October 5, 2026, at the age of 87 in Terlton, OK.

Bill was born on December 18, 1938, in Terlton, Oklahoma, at the family home. He was the son of Jesse Don and Lucille Elvira (Jenkins) Hickson. Bill grew up in Terlton and attended school there from kindergarten through 12th grade, graduating with the Class of 1957. During the Summer between his junior and senior year, Bill traveled to Yellowstone National Park, where he worked for the National Forestry as an intern. After graduation, Bill worked for Flint Steel in Sand Springs and worked his way up to foreman, retiring in the mid-1980s after 24 years. Bill purchased a beauty shop in Tulsa called the Mansion House Beauty Shop on South Denver. Bill also delivered the Tulsa World Newspaper with his son Billy for several years. In the 1980s, Bill obtained his real estate license and sold property for Ed Bellamy.

Later, Bill and Toni ran Motel 6s in the Dallas area for several years before returning to Terlton. Bill married Catherine Dickson on June 11, 1988, after meeting at a Kiwanis Club Meeting. Bill began working as the District 3 County Foreman in 1986, and after two years, he ran for Pawnee County Commissioner, winning on July 1, 1988; he ran successfully until he retired from District 3 on December 31, 2006, after 20 years with Pawnee County. Bill was instrumental in opening Benight Road from Highway 48 to Terlton after numerous engineers commented, "it is not feasible." Following retirement, Bill worked as a land surveyor for windmill installations. Bill also served for many years on the Oklahoma Silver Haired Legislature, the Terlton Cemetery Board, and the Rural Water District 2 Board, and was a former Deacon at Terlton First Baptist Church. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, Akdar Shriner, Eastern Star, and Kiwanis Member for many years

Bill was a hardworking man who enjoyed farming, gardening, and spending time outdoors. He loved watching sports on television, especially the Oklahoma Sooners, and enjoyed westerns, Larry's Country Diner, Hee Haw, and SportsCenter. Bill and his family made countless cherished memories together, including trips to Hot Springs, picking blackberries, the Polka Show, visits to Water Texas, fishing, adventures to White River Fish Market on Friday nights. Family vacations, silly songs, personalized birthday cards, funny faces, and his gold tooth were just a few of the things that made Bill so special. He loved traveling and visited all 50 states, including memorable trips to Arkansas, Michigan, Colorado, and New York. Known for his sense of humor, Bill loved making others laugh and was quite the jokester. His family affectionately remembered him as funny, generous, loving, and ornery. He believed in the importance of religion, hard work, honesty, and respect, values he carried throughout his life and passed along to his family. Bill also had a special place in his heart for his pets, including Rosy, Pepper, Little Bit, Otis, Coco, Smokey, and Doc. Above all, Bill treasured his family, especially the time spent with his children and grandchildren. Whether working in the garden, sharing a laugh, telling a joke, or simply enjoying time together, Bill created memories that those who knew and loved him will cherish forever. His hardworking spirit, generous heart, and unforgettable sense of humor will be deeply missed but lovingly remembered for generations to come.

Survivors are Cathy of the home, children Tammy Brandenburg and husband Wendell, Billy Hickson, Jr., Shannon Murray, Tammy Fittje and husband Trent, sister-in-laws Sandy Hickson, Kay Hickson brother-in-law James Dickson, grandchildren Amy and Brian Shelton, Amber and Ron Ford, Eyricka, Dillon and wife Madelyn, Tristen and husband Jaushua, Dallas and wife Tayhler, Tayler, Sladon, Harley, Ty and wife Ashley, Corinna and Aaron, Teague, Tagun; great grandchildren Bryce and Caylea, Noah, Kenslee and Zayne, Brittany, Brian, Mason, Jaushua, Braiedyn, Miko, Ali, Aiden, Liam, Ivory, Lliam, Noah-Lane, Adley-Mae, great great grandchildren Parklynn, Maverick, Easten, Miley, Rainey and a host of other relatives and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, J.D. and Lucille Hickson; wife, Antoinette "Toni" Hickson; siblings, Jesse Don Hickson, Jr., Bailey Dane Hickson, Robert Dean Hickson, Leo Dan Hickson, Roger Ditto Hickson, Roy Dennis Hickson, Ray Denver Hickson; and great-granddaughter, Leilani Grizzard.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026, at Terlton First Baptist Church, with Pastor Brandin Geyer officiating. The burial will follow at Terlton Cemetery. Chapman-Black Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements. Friends and family may visit Bill's online guest book and memorial page at www.chapman-black.com.