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William L. Bickham, 61, of Bellefontaine ,passed away Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, in Mary Rutan Hospital, Bellefontaine.
He was born in Bellefontaine on Feb. 8, 1955, a son of the late David Lawrence Bickham and of Betty Joan Hayden Bickham, who survives in Cocoa, Fla. He is also preceded in death by his brother, Robert Bickham.
On March 24, 1985, he married the former Cheryll Hinman in Titusville, Fla., 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 and Isaiah; two sisters, Kay Jean (Joe) Paredes of Austin, Texas, and Joanna (Joe) Stone of Titusville, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews.
Bill served his country and was a 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 on Indian Lake for several years after returning to the area. On Oct. 1, 2016, he went with the group of veterans on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
Pastor Jeffory Willetts officiates a funeral service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Calvary Baptist Church, 1140 Rush Ave. Bellefontaine.
Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N. Main St., Bellefontaine.
Burial is 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 music department of Calvary Christian School.
Express condolences at www.edsfh.com.