More detail on this person: Walter G. Hicks,
74, of Goose Creek, SC, passed away on February
14, 2015, peacefully in his sleep surrounded by
family at the Medical University Hospital in
Charleston. Walt was born in Charlotte, NC, March
23, 1940, graduated from West Mecklenburg High
School, and received a Bachelor of Science Degree
from North Carolina State University in 1962. He
also earned graduate degrees with a Master of
Business Administration at Northwest Missouri
State University and a Master of Science in
Systems Management at the University of Southern
California. Walt was married to his high school
sweetheart Martha Keistler on September 9, 1961
at the Ascension Lutheran Church. Walt and his
twin brother Marvin grew up with Martha's brothers
and sister in the Berryhill section of Charlotte,
NC. Walt was a commissioned US Army Officer
and served 21 years active duty until retiring as
a Lieutenant Colonel in 1983. He was a Senior
Army Aviator and an Airborne Paratrooper. During
his first Vietnam tour at Dong Ba Thin, while
assigned to the 117th Assault Helicopter Company,
he flew UH-1 (Huey) helicopters moving troops in
and out of combat. In the second tour with the
307th Combat Aviation Battalion in Soc Tang and
Can Tho, he served as the Battalion Assistant S-3
(Operations) and as Commander of the Battalion
Headquarters Company. After Vietnam, Walt
attended the Field Artillery Officers' Advance
Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he was an
Honor Graduate. He was then assigned to the 82nd
Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, NC as an artillery
battalion S-3 and then as the Executive Officer.
Later at Ft. Bragg, he became Commanding Officer
of the 182nd Assault Helicopter Company. Then,
Walt served in Germany as Readiness Branch Chief
of the Headquarters of the US Army, Europe
(USAEUR). He later moved to VII Corps as the
Corps Aviation Officer and Deputy Commander of
the 164th Aviation Group. Walt was an Honor
Graduate of the Command and General Staff
College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. His medals
include The Bronze Star, The Meritorious Service
Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, nine Air
Medals, and The Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
After retiring from the Army, Walt lived in
California for 20 years; working in the defense
industry, and finished his career managing
chemical/ biological detection projects. Walt is
survived by his two children, Christina Walsh, and
her husband John; Julia DeSantis and her husband
Paul; five grandchildren including Brendan and
Madeline Walsh and Aaron, Garrett, and Samuel
DeSantis; his brother, Marvin G. Hicks; his nieces
and nephews; and many other family and friends.
Walt is preceded in death by his parents, H.
George Hicks and Kathlee Cox Hicks. Walt's
legacy is marked with enduring love for his wife
Martha, self-effacing leadership, integrity, and a
lifelong commitment to the core value of doing
what is right in every aspect of life. Walt's
passions were bicycling, playing golf, reading,
and spending time with his family. After retiring,
he continued to contribute to his community by
serving on the Silver Lakes Homeowners
Association, serving as Handicap Chairman, and
organizing and leading weekly golf tournaments. He
enjoyed the competitiveness of golf while playing
at Crowfield Club in Goose Creek and at Silver
Lakes, China Lake and Sunset Hills in California
making lifelong friends. Until the time of his
death, Walt was an avid cyclist and fitness
enthusiast. He experienced great joy and
satisfaction from getting on his bike and
conquering 15-20 miles. The service will be held
at on February 19, at 11:00 am at Grace Lutheran
Church (www.grace-lcms.net) located at 1600 Old
Trolley Road, Summerville, SC 29485. The burial
ceremony will be at Fort Jackson National
Cemetery located at 4170 Percival Road, Columbia,
SC on Friday, February 20, at 11:00.AM. In lieu of
flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grace
Lutheran Church, 1600 Old Trolley Road,
Summerville, SC 29485. A memorial website for
comments, prayers, and condolences can be found
at http://mcalister-smith.com
Published in Charlotte Observer on Feb. 17, 2015
This information was last updated 08/04/2014
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