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BORN
1955
DIED
2016
William Bickham Obituary
BELLEFONTAINE - William L. Bickham, 61, of Bellefontaine passed away Thursday, December 15, 2016 in Mary Rutan Hospital, Bellefontaine.
He was born in Bellefontaine on February 8, 1955, the son of the late David Lawrence Bickham and Betty Joan (Hayden) Bickham, who survives in Cocoa, FL. He is also preceded in death by his brother, Robert Bickham.
On March 24, 1985, he married Cheryll Hinman-Bickham in Titusville, FL and she survives along with two sons, Stephen (Cherie) Knight-Bickham and Ryan (Christa) Knight-Bickham, both of Bellefontaine, seven grandchildren; Payton, Courtney, Caleb, Colson, Clarissa, Terrence, & Isaiah, two sisters; Kay Jean (Joe) Paredes of Austin, TX and Joanna (Joe) Stone of Titusville, FL and many nieces and nephews.
Bill served his country and was veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he was in the Air Force Band at Maxwell Air Force Base. He later became a professional musician, playing the Saxophone as well as most of the woodwind instruments. He was a charter member of the West Central Ohio Community Concert Band and also belonged to the Fountainaires Jazz Group and the Gift of Music Ministries. He and his wife also did prison ministries. He was also in the Brevard Big Band and played music professionally around the world including on cruise ships.
In 1989, he and his wife moved back to Bellefontaine as Baptist missionaries. He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Bellefontaine. He was also well known for his boat mechanic skills and worked for Spend A Day Marina, Indian Lake for several years after returning to the area. On October 1, 2016, he went with the group of veterans on the Honor Flight to Washington D.C.
Pastor Jeffory Willetts will officiate a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at Calvary Baptist Church, 1140 Rush Ave. Bellefontaine. Visitation will be on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N. Main St., Bellefontaine. Burial will be in Huntsville Cemetery with military honors provided by the Logan County Veteran Honor Guard and the Patriot Riders.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Calvary Christian School – Music Department.
EICHHOLTZ DARING & SANFORD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER assisted the family with arrangements and condolences may be made to the family at www.edsfh.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Bickham
Betty Bickham
December 10, 2024
Bill, our youngest son, was going to wear another little boys pedal car home if we couldn't get his feet loose. Later, he was packed into the drivers space of his dads racing hydro for his "bed" at a race. He built a "trailer" for his bicycle so he and his sisters could get a small sail boat to the river. A tall, thin hickory tree in the back yard gave up its branches so he could use them to flavor the turkey he was "grilling". He stood on the roof of our house to help get a natural water source to feed a pump to water the yard. A stint with the Air Force, and music, then off to share his life with a loving wife, family and home in Ohio. Clever, inventive, resourceful, loving to all who knew him. Missed so greatly by "mom".
Cheryll Bickham
December 10, 2024
It has now been 8 years since you were welcomed into the arms of Jesus.
You knew that we would be fine without your physical presence. I am thankful that each and everyone has a little bit of you in them and every time one of the boys or one of the grandkids come to visit, it’s like you are right back in the room with all of us!
What a blessing!!!
See you soon!
Cheryll
Betty Bickham
December 10, 2020
A little bitty boy with cheeks blinking on and off where he had stored a couple of fire-flies he had captured; later his cheeks busy with Sax(es) and the band; and even later asleep with a tiny grandbaby sleeping in his lap. So many great memories to share of such a wonderful son who cared so deeply for his family, his own wife, sons and grand children.
Cheryll Hinman-Bickham
February 8, 2017
Today , February 8th would have been Bill's birthday. It was very strange to get up and not cook a birthday breakfast for him or to bake and decorate his special dark chocolate cake served with Dr. Pepper, of course!
Caleb, our 9 yr old grandson, remembered his Grandpa's birthday and let me know that he was thinking about me today!
Sometimes it feels as though my right arm has been amputated!
At least Bill won't have a problem with "old age!"
Betty J Bickham
February 4, 2017
A Sunday, beautiful day today and thinking that in only a few days it will be Bill's birthday. Today, on FB, a sonogram of grandson Josephs son to be this fall. How odd this stream of time, all things seem to flow by so quickly, yet as in a flood, the upheaval of life seems also to get swept along. No time outs............no hit the pause button............. I am so grateful for the time of having William. I have learned that time does not dim or eliminate the love or caring for another, and I suppose that one can say the harshness of the immediate loss is diminished, but it does take lots and lots of time. Knowing that my men are together and safe gives me comfort. I do miss them, one and all.
Betty Bickham
January 1, 2017
My beloved son has gone to join his brother Robert and Father David, much too soon for the many who loved him.
Cheryll Hinman-Bickham
December 28, 2016
Bill was the most unselfish man I've ever known and I was so blessed to have shared nearly 32 years with him. God put him in my life when I didn't even know that I needed him! But that's the way God works. He knows our every need before we do....and he knew Bill's need as well. Bill needed to be at home with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!!!
He left me with nothing but wonderful memories!!!
His family
Cheryll Hinman-Bickham
December 27, 2016
Cheryll Hinman-Bickham
December 27, 2016
The whole family!
Cheryll Hinman-Bickham
December 27, 2016
Bill & Cheryll at Ark Encounter
Cheryll Hinman-Bickham
December 27, 2016
Taking it easy
Cheryll Hinman-Bickham
December 27, 2016
Honor flight D.C. 2016
Cheryll Hinman-Bickham
December 27, 2016
Bill w/Stephen, Ryan, sister Joanna and Mom
Cheryll Hinman-Bickham
December 27, 2016
Bill and Isaiah
Cheryll Hinman-Bickham
December 27, 2016
Bill and Cheryll
Cheryll Hinman-Bickham
December 27, 2016
Cheryll Hinman-Bickham
December 27, 2016
Grandkids
Cheryll Hinman-Bickham
December 27, 2016
Band and boating
Cheryll Hinman-Bickham
December 27, 2016
Veteran's Honor Flight 10/1/2016
Cheryll Hinman-Bickham
December 27, 2016
Cheryll Hinman-Bickham
December 27, 2016
Cheryll Hinman-Bickham
December 27, 2016
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