William D. Hickman
July 24, 1939 ~ November 10, 2016
William D. (Bill) Hickman (age 77), a former journalist who directed the $90 million redevelopment of the National Press Building in downtown Washington, died November 10, 2016 at Reston Hospital of complications from lung cancer.
Mr. Hickman was president and CEO of the National Press Building Corporation from 1981 to 1991. During that time, the building was totally gutted and rebuilt. After leaving the Press Building position in 1991, he worked for several trade associations and a public relations firm before forming Bill Hickman Associates, a communications firm.
Mr. Hickman was born in Nederland, TX on July 24, 1939 to Mary Lou Franke and William D. Hickman, Sr. He began his news industry career at age 13 as a bicycle carrier for the Beaumont Enterprise and Journal. His first reporting job was for The Enterprise covering the towns of Nederland, Port Neches, and Groves while attending Lamar University of Beaumont.
Next he worked for The Houston Post as a city desk reporter and feature writer before realizing his dream: a reporting job in the nation's capital. After stints at Space Business Daily and Fairchild Publications he joined the Washington bureau for McGraw-Hill Publications, beginning a 15-year career with Business Week, Engineering News-Record (ENR), and other publications where he covered construction, transportation, communications, and energy issues.
In the 1960s and 70s he was chairman of several National Press Club committees and was a member of the Club's board of governors from 1968-1971. In recent years he was a volunteer in the National Press Club Archives and directed its oral history project. He served on the board of the National Press Foundation for 14 years.
Mr. Hickman was a home cooking enthusiast who developed a distinctive chili con carne recipe that won numerous cook offs, including the National Press Club Super Bowl of Chili. He is the author and co-author of books on space technology, business management, and industrial history.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Barbara LeDane Hickman of Reston; two sons, Todd William Hickman and his wife Candace of Dagsboro, DE, Brent Russell Hickman and his wife Anne Bauers of Minneapolis, MN; and five treasured grandchildren, Ethan Todd and William James Hickman of Dagsboro, DE, and Nathan Russell, Andrew Bauers, and Adeline Grace Hickman of Minneapolis, MN.
Other survivors include a sister, Kathryn E. Peek and her husband Howard of Houston, TX, and brothers Arthur L. Hickman and his wife Pamela Colleen of Beaumont, TX, and Randal L. Hickman and his wife Paula of Nederland, TX, as well as several nieces and a nephew.
Relatives and friends are invited to Mr. Hickman's Life Celebration at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA Monday November 14, at 11am. Interment Fairfax Memorial Park. A Memorial Service will be held at the National Press Club at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Press Foundation www.nationalpress.org. Online condolences and fond memories of Mr. Hickman may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Mr. Hickman was president and CEO of the National Press Building Corporation from 1981 to 1991. During that time, the building was totally gutted and rebuilt. After leaving the Press Building position in 1991, he worked for several trade associations and a public relations firm before forming Bill Hickman Associates, a communications firm.
Mr. Hickman was born in Nederland, TX on July 24, 1939 to Mary Lou Franke and William D. Hickman, Sr. He began his news industry career at age 13 as a bicycle carrier for the Beaumont Enterprise and Journal. His first reporting job was for The Enterprise covering the towns of Nederland, Port Neches, and Groves while attending Lamar University of Beaumont.
Next he worked for The Houston Post as a city desk reporter and feature writer before realizing his dream: a reporting job in the nation's capital. After stints at Space Business Daily and Fairchild Publications he joined the Washington bureau for McGraw-Hill Publications, beginning a 15-year career with Business Week, Engineering News-Record (ENR), and other publications where he covered construction, transportation, communications, and energy issues.
In the 1960s and 70s he was chairman of several National Press Club committees and was a member of the Club's board of governors from 1968-1971. In recent years he was a volunteer in the National Press Club Archives and directed its oral history project. He served on the board of the National Press Foundation for 14 years.
Mr. Hickman was a home cooking enthusiast who developed a distinctive chili con carne recipe that won numerous cook offs, including the National Press Club Super Bowl of Chili. He is the author and co-author of books on space technology, business management, and industrial history.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Barbara LeDane Hickman of Reston; two sons, Todd William Hickman and his wife Candace of Dagsboro, DE, Brent Russell Hickman and his wife Anne Bauers of Minneapolis, MN; and five treasured grandchildren, Ethan Todd and William James Hickman of Dagsboro, DE, and Nathan Russell, Andrew Bauers, and Adeline Grace Hickman of Minneapolis, MN.
Other survivors include a sister, Kathryn E. Peek and her husband Howard of Houston, TX, and brothers Arthur L. Hickman and his wife Pamela Colleen of Beaumont, TX, and Randal L. Hickman and his wife Paula of Nederland, TX, as well as several nieces and a nephew.
Relatives and friends are invited to Mr. Hickman's Life Celebration at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA Monday November 14, at 11am. Interment Fairfax Memorial Park. A Memorial Service will be held at the National Press Club at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Press Foundation www.nationalpress.org. Online condolences and fond memories of Mr. Hickman may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Good neighbor and friend. He will be greatly missed. Love and prayers to the family.
A wonderful man and brother
What a wonderful tribute. I am so sorry to hear about the death of Lynn’s brother. Deepest sympathy to Lynn, Colleen and whole family.
I’m so sorry to learn of Bill’s passing. He was such a gentleman. I will fondly remember working with Bill when he was with the API and I was with the National Energy Board in Canada and we carried out the first joint Canada / US Public Awareness Workshop in Niagara Falls in 2000. A few years later, Bill took me on a guided tour of several Washington DC sites along Pennsylvania Ave. We had lunch at the National Press Club that day and I learned of his time there between ’81 and ’91. It was a day I won’t ever forget. He was one of the kindest and most sincere fellas I’ve ever met. Rest in peace, Bill, and may your family find comfort in their memory of you.
I am so very saddened at the loss of our Uncle Bill. Aunt Barbara, Todd, Brent and your beautiful families – please know that your Texas family is surrounding you with love and prayers at this difficult time. Praying for peace and comfort. We love you all
So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing, Barbie. With fond memories. Much love, Bruce Bennetts
So very sorry to learn that Bill is no longer with us. He was such a wonderful and warm person who was devoted to you all. Gail Prensky
Our hearts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time.
One of my many good memories of Bill was our on-going mock debate about which of us Texans made the best chili. Bill claimed my recipe relied heavily upon supermarket catsup. I replied his chili would not be so greasy if he used a meat other than pork fat back. Well, pal, let’s compare recipes again in due course. And in your honor, I am making a Bowl of Red using your recipe this week. All love and good wishes to Barbara and the family. Joseph C. Goulden Washington, DC
So sorry to hear of your loss. He gave so much to journalism and to his beloved Press Club. Tammy Lytle Past President, NPC
Bill Hickman was a great writer. He was a great story teller; that’s a skill that everyone applauds today. I had the pleasure of working with him at the American Petroleum Institute. And I got to share a few beers with him. He had a gift, and he will be missed.
Sorry for your loss of a husband and dad. He was very proud of his entire family. I as well lost a brother and good friend. Love you all forever, Randy
Bill and Barbara Hickman were our down-the-hall neighbors from my wife, Sally and I during the 1968 to 1971 time period. We have fond memories of Bills legendary Texas 3-Alarm Chili as well as the generous hospitality of Bill and Barbara. Both Bill and I played together in numerous Press Club golf tournaments over a a decade. I will never forget Bill’s first tee shot at the Army/Navy Golf Club. It hit a rock in a creek running across the fairway about 100 yards from the tee and came back to rest about 5 feet from where Bill was standing. Bill was an exceptional person: a mentor, a friend and a dedicated worker. What he accomplished for the National Press Club during its renovation stands in tribute to his love for journalism. All family and friends, should be proud of Bills many and varied achievements. He was one of the most kind, most genuine and one of the most memorable of all my friends.