Wallace Wayne Wicks

WALLACE WAYNE WICKS

MAYSVILLE -- Mr. Wallace Wayne Wicks, 85, of Maysville, died Friday, January 15, 2010, at the Carolina East Medical Center.

He was born October 16, 1924, in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of the late William Cullen Wicks and Violet Stanford Wicks. He was also predeceased by his wife, Rozelle Royall Wicks, who died in 2007, and his brother, William Stanford Wicks.

Mr. Wicks graduated from Primrose High School in 1941. He served in the U. S. Army Air Forces during World War II as a B-17 pilot with the 613th Squadron, 401st Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. He flew 35 combat missions over Germany and Occupied Europe, and was awarded 6 air medals and 3 battle stars. He served in the Air Force Reserve and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He attended the University of Nebraska before his service in the war, and after the war attended Iowa State University, graduating in 1949.

Upon graduation, he moved to Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, to begin his career as a professional forester with Halifax Paper Company, which became Champion International, now International Paper. He married Rozelle Royall on June 19, 1955, and they had three children. In 1965 the family moved to Maysville, where he served as an active community leader until his death. From 1965 to his retirement in 1987, he served from Hofmann Forest as a regional timberlands manager for Champion International. He was past chairman of the N.C. State Board of Registration for Foresters, and was an active member of the N.C. Forestry Foundation, Inc. and the Division of Forestry at N.C. State University, and other professional associations.

He was a faithful member and ruling elder of Pollocksville Presbyterian Church. He had a deep and abiding faith and lived the Gospel in his daily life. He was a member of the Maysville Rotary Club for 45 years, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of his exceptional service to the community. He was an avid reader and lifelong learner in many fields. He demonstrated his passion for history through service as a member of the board of directors of the Onslow County Museum Foundation, Inc. until his death, and as past president of the Jones County Historical Society, and member of the Oregon Trail Society. He was a founding member of Quaker Neck Country Club, and, with his wife, an active member of the Jones County Arts Council. He served on the Jones County Planning Board and served as a clerk's commissioner. He enjoyed his membership in the 401st Bomb Group and, with his family, participated in many group reunions around the United States and in England. He was a member of the Reserve Officers Association, American Legion, 8th Air Force Historical Society, and Air Force Association.

He was an intrepid traveler and explorer, visiting all 50 states and Canada, Mexico, Europe, South Pacific, and Russia. He knew most of the "blue highways" around the U.S., and took special joy in taking his family on long vacations out West in the station wagon, and showing them the scenic byways where his beloved nature, trees and rocks could be explored and enjoyed. He seldom traveled without his machete, rock hammer and gold pan! He was an eclectic collector, gathering a library of thousands of books, as well as stamps and coins. He was a great appreciator and student of American art (visiting museums often when not on the blue highways). He loved music and especially enjoyed the musical leadership in worship by his church choir (directed by his wife), and her performances with area choral groups. He was known for his wisdom, thoughtfulness, generosity, and humility, and for his great devotion to his family, loyalty to his friends, and faithful service to his church and community.

Surviving are his loving family: one son, William Royall Wicks and wife, Kelly, of Valdosta, Ga.; two daughters, Robin Wicks Robinson and husband, Chip, of Wilmington and Laura Wallace Wicks of Asheville; four grandchildren, Glennie Jeane Wicks and Lorrie Bruning Wicks of Valdosta, Ga., and James Hendry Robinson III and Wallace Katherine McLean Robinson of Wilmington. The family is deeply grateful to Shirley Eubanks for her faithful care of, and friendship to, their father.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21 at the Pollocksville Presbyterian Church with the Dr. Eric Faust officiating. Graveside service with full military honors will follow at 3:30 p.m. in the Clinton Cemetery, Clinton, NC.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20 at the Pollocksville Presbyterian Church.

Memorials may be made to the Pollocksville Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 205, Pollocksville, N.C. 28573; or to the Jones County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 626, Maysville, N.C. 28555.

Arrangements by Sayland Funeral Home, Maysville, N.C.

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