WILLIAM WICKS, Obituary, Fergus Co., MT

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Lewistown Paper 1-1-1971

William K. Wicks, 62, former Lewistown Mayor and local businessman, died New Year’s Day at the central Montana 
Hospital, apparently of an acute heart attack.

He had operated the Lewistown Pharmacy in Lewistown for many years, first in partnership with his father, the late J. H. 
Wicks, and in later years with his son Charles.

Wicks was a lifetime resident of central Montana and had been very active in community affairs.

He was born July 19, 1908, in the mining camp of Kendall, north of Lewistown, the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wicks.  
His father was a pioneer druggist, having operated drug stores in Great Falls, Fort Benton, Kendall, Hilger, Denton and 
Lewistown.  

Wicks was graduated from Denton High School and attended the University of Montana at Missoula.  He was married to 
Hazel E Ridgeway August 15, 1934 at Great Falls.

While operating a drug store in Denton, Wicks served as mayor and fire chief of that community from 1934-1937.

In the fall of 1937 the family moved to Lewistown and Wicks joined his father in partnership at the Lewistown 
pharmacy.

He served as mayor of Lewistown for two terms, from 1961-65.  Previous to that time he served as an alderman, a 
position to which he was appointed on the death of Dr. Carl Turner.  After filling Dr. Turner’s unexpired term he was 
elected to two more terms on the city council.

He was active in the Lewistown area Chamber of Commerce and served on its board of directors.  He had also been a 
director for the central Montana Development Corporation.  

Wicks also served on the Lewistown Airport Commission and the Lewistown planning board.  

He was a member of the Elks and Eagles Lodges, the American Legion, and was a life member of the National Rifle 
Association.

He was a veteran of World War II, having served as a corpsman in the United States Navy at the San Diego Naval 
Hospital in San Diego, CA.

Survivors include his widow Hazel, one son, Charles, four grandchildren, Cheri Elizabeth, Debra Jean, Christine Renee, 
and Brian Harrison Wicks; two sisters, Mrs. Leonard A. (Dorothy) Gremaux and Mrs. Clifford (Jessie) Housel, all of 
Lewistown; a nephew, Robert Wetmore, Walla Walla WA; and two nieces, Mrs. Beverly Smith Los Angeles, CA, and 
Mrs. Joyce Odegaard, Great Falls.

Funeral services are slated Tuesday at 2 p m at the Creel-Gurnett-Retz Funeral Home.  The Rev. Arthur G. Heath, pastor 
of the First United Methods Church, will officiate.  Interment will be in the Lewistown City Cemetery with full military 
honors at graveside.

Those who wish may send memorials to the Heart Association or the charity of their choice.