William J. (Jay Bird) Hickman was born on April 12, 1945, to the union of William Hickman and Bertha Moore in Louisville, MS.  He was the tenth child out of thirteen.

William accepted Christ at an early age.  He was a farmer at Pemble Farm Inc., where he worked over 30 years.  Later, he moved to Richmond, IN.

William departed this life on Sunday, October 1, 2017.  His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace.