William Robert Hickman

William Robert Hickman passed away Friday evening, October 16th, after a short stay in the hospice unit at Northwest Hospital. After enduring the last eight years with Alzheimer’s Disease, he was finally called home to rest. After Last Rites were given, and a goodbye kiss from Darlene, wife of 61 years, his body relaxed and he was finally at peace.

William was born to Marvin and Helena Hickman on Beacon Hill in Longview, WA on February 21st, 1942. He attended Kelso High School where he met the love of his life, Darlene, in Latin class. He graduated in 1960 and then moved to Seattle to attend Seattle University, majoring in Physics. During his final year at Seattle University, he discovered an unexpected passion for law after taking an introductory political science class. This changed the course of his life as he decided to apply to law school. He graduated from Seattle University in 1964 and was accepted to Columbia Law School in New York City. He spent one year at Columbia and that was one year too many to be away from Darlene. They were married in September 1965 and Darlene joined him in NY.

That Thanksgiving, William and Darlene invited four law-school friends—fellow Pacific Northwesterners—to celebrate their first holiday as a married couple in New York City. While preparing her first Thanksgiving dinner, Darlene learned how to cook a turkey in a three-story Manhattan walk-up in the 1960s: although she set the oven to 350 degrees, it was still holding at 125 an hour later because of the building’s limited electrical power. Dinner may have been delayed from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m., but plenty of wine, hors d’oeuvres, and Bach kept the party going.

In 1967 William graduated from Columbia Law School. They decided to move back to Seattle where William clerked for Justice Robert Utter of the King County Superior Court. Soon after William passed the bar, he joined Reed McClure Law Firm. William created himself a specialized niche as an appellate and insurance coverage lawyer. In his 50 years of practice, he handled more than 450 appeals in state and federal courts. He founded the Washington Insurance Law Letter in 1975, which he edited for forty years. The letter was still being published and distributed by Reed Mcclure as recently as 2025.

William was deeply involved in his community. After moving to Queen Anne Hill in 1967, he and Darlene became active parishioners at St. Anne Church. He could often be found singing in the choir or serving at the lectern. William was known for his powerful, commanding baritone voice, and parishioners frequently remarked that they could hear him clearly from the last pew.

His ability to project his voice served him well in his work with Pacific Northwest Track & Field. He served as a starter for track-and-field and cross-country events, a role he thoroughly enjoyed. He loved working meets in all kinds of weather and watching young athletes give their best, demonstrating grit and tenacity. One of his greatest honors was serving as a timer at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He also served on the USATF Rules Committee and the IAAF Rules Committee.

William was a devoted husband and loving father. He encouraged his daughters, Kristin and Kari-Mae, to be determined, thoughtful, curious and to engage in thoughtful debate. When there was something to be discussed in the family, William often quoted the King of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, “Begin at the beginning,” he would say, “and go on till you come to the end: then stop.” William enjoyed opera and classical music. Sunday mornings he would often wake his daughters for church by playing either “Fanfare for the Common Man” or “Ride of the Valkyries”.

William will be remembered for The Hickman’s lively St. Patrick’s Day parties, where a single invitation meant you were welcomed for life. Guests could always count on good food, Irish music, and a keg of Harp and Guinness. He also treasured late-night Scotch tastings with his sons-in-law and the many journeys he and Darlene shared during their 61 years of marriage, including trips to Ireland, Italy, and Greece.

William was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Kristin. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Darlene; his son-in-law, Bill Ollenbrook; his daughter, Kari-Mae Miles, and son-in-law, Jeffrey Miles; and his beautiful and brilliant grandchildren, Katherine (Austin Lucas), William, Jack, Robert and Matthew.

To honor William please raise a glass of your favorite brown liquid on St. Patrick’s Day. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org

Please share your condolences and memories of William on his guestbook below.

- Care Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home -