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William Pickens Obituary
On Sunday, March 29, 2020, William (Bill) Hickman Pickens III passed away in San Diego, California at the age of 73.
Bill was born on June 24, 1946 to William Pickens II and Sammie Bratton Pickens in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He received his BA and MA from the University of New Mexico, and his PhD in U.S. Economic History from the University of California, Davis.
Bill worked as a leader and consultant in higher education in California for more than forty years, serving at such institutions as the California Citizens Commission on Higher Education, Sacramento State University, and the Foundation for Educational Achievement. His most rewarding role was directing the Executive Leadership and Management Institute held at Stanford University. In 2018 he received a Distinguished Alumni award from the University of New Mexico for his contributions in the field of higher education.
In his free time, Bill enjoyed running, gardening, barbecuing, and writing a biography of his two grandfathers, Judge Sam G. Bratton and the famous sports promoter William H. Pickens. He embodied a lifelong passion for learning, and loved connecting with family and friends by phone and in person. He is survived by his wife, Monica Neville, and his children and grandchildren.
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Memories and Condolences
for William Pickens
6 Entries
frank e. lihn
October 1, 2025
When Bill was President of the Grad Students at UNM, I was the
undergrad Vice president. It was an tumultous time, and we worked together to return order and restart classes. In saw him last when invited for dinner, maybe 1986-7. I'll always remember the ABQ drive in, all 3 spaghetti westerns and a jug of Gold Cadillacs.
Juan Yniguez
January 15, 2024
So sorry to belated learn of Bill´s passing. I was a student of his when he was a TA/Lecturer at UCDavis. From there we developed a friendship of many years. During my 7 years of college, he was easily the best lecturer I ever had. Smart, organized, incisive, inspiring, and caring. He literally got me my first job after college at the California Postsecondary Education Commission. Over a decade later we reconnected when I was a senior staffer and he was a board member of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities. He was brilliant, but more importantly, a loving mentor and friend. Rest in Peace Bill!
Colleen Nickles
May 18, 2023
My warmest condolences to Bill´s family. Bill was a member of my dissertation committee at Berkeley. Colleen Nickles
Colleen Nickles
May 27, 2020
Bill was one of my dissertation advisors at Berkeley. He was smart, articulate, and caring. My condolences to his family.
Ken
May 25, 2020
Bill was always dedicated to education and helping people feel comfortable with the process of learning. I remember when he was at Sac State and the Chair of the ADTAC -technology committee. One person on the committee said he felt like he could not contribute because he new nothing about technology. Bill told him, its okay, some are here to learn and others to participate. His way explaining committee members roles helped the person feel like part of the team. Thats would Bill would, be patient and help team members feel
Inclusive.
Bill rest in piece.
Michael Welsh
May 24, 2020
I have read Bill Pickens' MA thesis several times, and always found it very helpful for my research on a variety of New Mexican institutions in the 1930s. No one has written anything better, even after almost 50 years. I assume that Bill worked with Gerald Nash of the UNM history department, as did I. One can tell the influence of Nash in Bill's research and writing. It is not surprising that he had such success in California as a scholar.
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