Billy Eugene (Gene) Hickman (Retired Ranger 2 {Division Chief} was born on October 28, 1936 to parents Chester and Alzie (Ramsey) Hickman in McAlester, OK and left us to join family and friends in Heaven June 10, 2018. Eugene is survived by his wife Sydney Hickman, Son Greg, daughter Christina (Rick) Keller and honorary son Bobby Askins. Grandchildren Branden (Diana) Waters; Casey (Brandi) Hickman; Robby (Amber) DenUyl; a Celie Hickman. Great grandchildren Alexander DenUyl (9), Caleb Waters (8), C J (13) and Caylee (12) Pineda (Waters). Brother in-law Willie (Dollie) Case; Sister Geraldine Miller and many loved nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Alzie; brother, Don Hickman; sister’s Dorthy Tarbell, and LoRita Trammell. And many loved extended family and friends.
Eugene was the fourth of the 5 Hickman children who were packed up by their parents and traveled from Pittsburg County for better farm land in California settling in Visalia on a small plot of land. Eugene graduated from Redwood High School. He met his soon to be wife, Sydney Case, at Mearle’s Drive In. Gene worked alongside his father, Chester at Rainbow Bakery on the Oval. Eugene joined the United States Army and was stationed in Hawaii. Upon his retirement from the Army, Gene began his career as a Seasonal Firefighterand was appointed as a Fire Apparatus Engineer in the Tulare Unit in 1959. He was promoted to Fire Captain, and was assigned to the Westside Fire District of Fresno County. In 1964 through 1967, Gene worked at the Mountain Home Conservation Camp as a Fire Crew Supervisor, and during the declared fire season he was assigned as Relief Air Coordinator working out of the Porterville Air Attack Base. In May of 1967, Gene was assigned as a Fire Prevention Officer working out of Visalia Headquarters. Hickman was later promoted to Ranger 1 (Battalion Chief) working in the Dinuba Battalion. Gene was then appointed as a Ranger 2(Division Chief) working in the Valley Division and responsible for the day to day operation of the Tulare County Contract. In 1988, in preparation for his retirement he transferred back to Mountain’s he loved, at Mountain Home Conservation Camp as the Division Chief. Then retired in December 1991. In retirement Gene camped with friends and family, fishing and hunting. Gene loved living on his 5 acre farm growing walnut trees and raising cattle, swine, sheep, goats, chickens and various game birds. He and Sydney enjoyed towing the kids and their horses to the Rodeos, Roping’s and the Visalia Rockettes practices and State Show in Santa Rosa. After they became empty nester’s Gene reluctantly sold the place and followed Sydney to Cambria. Gene took a job at The State Park of Hearst Castle and after several years returning to Visalia settling into a fixer upper on Visalia Road to again raise a few livestock and work for Badger Hill Estates Security Gate. Gene finally retired again and moved in town to Walnut Park where he gained many new friends who will miss him greatly.
Please join us to Celebrate Gene, dad, Papa (Goat), Uncle, friend and Chief at his service: June 6, 2018 at 9:00 am, Salser and Dillard Funeral Home, 127 E. Caldwell Ave, Visalia, CA 93277.
Reception following service at: The Veterans Memorial Building, 609 W. Center Ave, Visalia, CA 93291.