Our Husband, Dad, and Papa, Edward (Ed) Lee Hickman left this earth to go fishing with our Lord on October 11, 2019.

Ed was born on July 11, 1944, so, 7 &11 were also his lucky numbers. He served in Vietnam with The Big Red One, 1^st Infantry Division, United States Army. He was very proud of his service to our country and he continued to serve his fellow veterans until he retired from the VA Hospital, Fayetteville, AR in 2009.

Ed loved fishing, hunting, cherry pies, gambling and corny ‘Dad’ jokes. He always had a terrible joke or a story to share that would inevitably have all of us laughing. He was ready to work on cars, shoot the breeze and give his advice on politics, healthcare, presidents and food of any kind at the drop of a hat.

More importantly, of all the things listed above, Ed loved his family. He married our Mom in 1983 and quickly became a favorite among all of our family. There was never a time that Ed was not there for his family and we all adored him for it. He was gladly there when our babies and grandbabies were born and he played a major role in their upbringing and loved to tease all of them. He was there for doctor appointments, frozen pipes, babysitting, eating treats or just a call to make sure everything was right with the world.

This kind, sweet, wonderful man is survived by his wife, Stella Hickman of Elkins, AR. He has three daughters, Deborah (Lori) Smith of Decatur, AR, Joi Brown of Rogers, AR, and Shelli Smith of Elkins, AR. He is also survived by his son-in-law, best friend and co-porch sitter, James Gaither. Grandpa has five grandchildren, Sarah and Judd Cox of Proctor, OK, Darrel and Leslee Shadrick-Bohannan of Fayetteville, AR, Jordan Caddy and Rob Anderson of Fayetteville, AR, Madison and Kris Parnell of Powell, MO, and Taylor Pick-up and Jessica Lemus of Springdale, AR. Papa also has nine great-grandchildren, Nevaeh and Breanna Cox, Leann and Darius Bohannan, Braxton and Ethan Anderson, Raegan Glisson, Amber and Chevy Pick-up.

Pallbearers will be Lee Eilerts, Rob Heffner, Kris Parnell, Judd Cox, Rob Anderson and Darrel Bohannan with Taylor Pick-up and James Gaither as honorary pallbearers.

Services will be officiated by Brother Les Shadrick at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at Beard’s Funeral Chapel, Fayetteville, AR with interment at the Fayetteville National Cemetery, Fayetteville, AR.