Bill Dicks

In the early morning hours of Sunday, November 24, 2024, Bill Dicks passed away peacefully at Watauga Medical Center. While his passing was unexpected, it was not surprising as he had suffered multiple health issues over the last year and was suffering from significant chronic pain.William Whittier Dicks was born on May 28, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, to Dr. Russell and Dorothy Smith Dicks. Six weeks after his birth, the family moved to Texas, much to Bills consternation when he was old enough to understand that hed missed being born a Texan by a mere month and half. The family eventually settled in Durham, NC where Russell was the first hospital chaplain at Duke Hospital and taught at the divinity school at the university.Bill loved the outdoors, spending many summers in Denver hiking, camping, riding horses and swimming, while his father taught at a local theology school. His love of the Blue Ridge Mountains began when he was a counselor in Linville at Camp Yonhanoka in 1957. His favorite summers as a teen were spent as a ranch hand in Nebraska, living out some of his cowboy dreams. In 1964, he graduated from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida where he rowed crew and joined Pi Kappa Phi, creating lifelong friends. Shortly after graduation, he met Donna Principe, who would become his wife of 57 years.Bill and Donna married on June 17, 1967, and they settled into married life in Lakeland. It was not long before the mountains began to call, and Bill was compelled to answer.They moved to Boone in 1970 so that he could pursue his masters degree in industrial arts at Appalachian State University. He quickly discovered a deep love of pottery, woodworking, and sign making, which became his lifes work. In 1972, the couple welcomed a daughter, Jennifer, and in 1976, a son, Dave.While he was passionate about his work, he also enjoyed an intense love for physical activities. He was an avid swimmer and could be found many mornings in the summer swimming lap after lap across Wildcat Lake. He competed in many triathlons, and even made it to a qualifying race for the IronMan. When he was 54, he made the first of more than 600 skydives, a hobby that he continued with Dave for more than ten years. Bill will be most remembered for opening The Sign Shop in 1972. His goal was to continue to work for 50 years and leave a legacy of craftmanship. His beautiful signs, many of which are decades old, can be found all over the High Country, but also as far away as Europe and the Bahamas. One of his proudest accomplishments was the creation of a memorial rock garden to honor fallen members of the US Armys 1st Battalion 7th Special Forces Group.Bill is survived by his wife, Donna; his daughter, Jennifer (Doug) Cantrell; his son, Dave (Tiffany) Dicks; and his twin grandchildren - who were his pride and joy - Maddie and Jaxon Cantrell. He is predeceased by his parents, Dr. Russell Leslie and Dorothy (Dottie) Smith Dicks, a brother, James (Jim), and a sister, Joanie Connell.From his work with international students at Lees McRae College, to inviting young children to come to the shop to sandblast their own signs or create their own pottery, to building sets for the local community theatre, Bill will be remembered for his generosity, a wicked sense of humor, and dedication to the people and activities he loved.A celebration of life will be held on December 8, 2024 at 3:00 in the afternoon at Banner Elk Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in the form of a check to the Bill Dicks Memorial Fund at the Town of Banner Elk, 200 Park Ave., Banner Elk, NC, 28604, or the All Secure Foundation which provides mental health services to Special Operation soldiers and their families at www.allsecurefoundation.org. The care of Bill and his family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.
Celebration of Life
Sunday, December 8, 2024
3:00 PM -
Banner Elk Presbyterian Church
420 College Drive
Banner Elk NC 28604
US
Funeral Home
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home
296 Ash St
Newland NC - 28657
US
(828) 733-2121
(828) 733-2401 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Bill, please visit our Tree Store.