William Woodrow Hicks was born on January 14, 1944, at Eitel Hospital in Minneapolis. After moving to Sioux Falls, SD, for a few years for his Father’s job, his family of four moved back to MN to a home on Roblyn Avenue in St. Paul. He attended Gordon Grade School, and Central Senior High School, where he excelled in academics, basketball and football. He earned an academic scholarship to Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. Bill’s Father, Will, tragically passed away while he was at college. After college, Bill was a model for the Eleanor Moore Modeling Agency, was employed at Shaw Walker, Pitney Bowes, and Curad, eventually deciding he needed to be his own boss.

Bill met Cathy, his wife of 60 years, at a bar in Wisconsin. That same evening he brought her home to meet his Mom. Cathy and Betty Jane were instant friends. Bill & Cathy were married in November, 1965 after which they moved into an apartment in the midway district of St. Paul. They then moved into a two-bedroom apartment in north Minneapolis, where they welcomed their first child, Matthew Charles. Two years later they purchased their first house on Minnaqua Drive in Golden Valley. One year later, their second child, Michelle Helen was born. They would remain in this house until 1985. After a couple more moves, they became Florida residents in 2000, on Marco Island, which was one of their favorite places.

Starting in 1970, Bill was an active member of AA, speaking at various venues, and helping many individuals through their struggles with alcohol. He was proudly sober the remainder of his life.

Bill attended his first gun show around this time. He found his calling! After starting a business buying and selling guns out of the basement in their Golden Valley home, travelling the country in his car to purchase gun collections, and attending gun shows (often with his family in tow), he decided to move the business to an actual office/warehouse. As business expanded, he built his own office/warehouse in Plymouth in the late 80’s. What started as a passion buying and selling used/collector firearms developed into a very successful undertaking. He was, first and foremost, a businessman – the ultimate wheeler-and-dealer - occasionally ruthless, but very well-respected. He loved the firearms industry, (some) of the people in the industry, and, most of all, making money. He instilled this business acumen in his children, who run the business to this day. According to Bill, “You just have to be a little bit smarter than the people you’re buying from, and a little bit smarter than the people you’re selling to.” Throughout his 57 years as a business owner, he had numerous incredible people that worked with him/worked for him.

Bill enjoyed hunting, and was a collector of many “things”. He very much enjoyed his ranch in Florida, and in 2011 started collecting cars with his son, Matt. What started as chasing childhood nostalgia led to attending all but one Barrett Jackson auction, and a fascination with Corvettes and anything “cool”.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Woodrow and Betty Jane. He is survived by his sister, Penelope Bond, his selfless wife, Cathy (Johnson), son Matt (Jill), daughter Shelly (Matt Reineke), granddaughters Kami (Tyler) Minks, Kylie (Buddy) Napier, Mallory Hicks, Hazel Hicks; grandson Cody Binstock (Taryn), great grandsons Beau Napier and William (Liam) Minks. He will also be sadly missed by his ever-present canine companion, Stella, whom he liked more than most people.

Bill’s incredible journey ended on Thursday evening, May 28th. He was very recently diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Cancer, and Parkinson’s Disease. He also suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease. After a day and a half in home hospice, he could no longer battle the diseases, and is now resting in eternal peace.

He will be greatly missed by many.