Richard A. “Butch” Hickman, age 83, of Wolf Creek

Richard “Butch” Arlen Hickman June 21, 1939 – January 7, 2023

Richard “Butch” Arlen Hickman passed away January 7^th, at his home at the age of 83. He was born on June 21, 1939 in Canton, IL to Delmar and Nellie Marie (Lee) Hickman. Richard was the oldest of four children, with one brother and two sisters. He married his high school sweetheart, Margie Maxine Hull of Chambersburg, IL on July 22, 1958. He graduated from Meredosia/Chambersburg High School in 1959.

In 1959, Richard and Margie were blessed with their first child Arlene. Richard Edward followed in 1960, Vicky Marie in 1961, David Lee in 1963, and Patricia Ann in 1965. Richard was in the US Air Force for 21 years and a Vietnam veteran. His family followed him on many of his duty assignments to places such as Nebraska, Bermuda, Washington, Japan, Montana, and the Philippines. After retiring from the Air Force, he earned his associates degree in Computer Science from John Wood Community College in Quincy, IL. Richard and Margie fell in love with Montana and made it their home. He worked for Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks from 1995 to 2009, when he retired.

When he was young, he loved to hunt and hike through the woods and mountains. He would harvest and eat mushrooms, berries, wild onions, and other edible foods provided by nature. Richard’s passion was fishing so he made a great fishing partner on the many fishing excursions with his son, David. Later in life he came to enjoy wood carving and took classes in carving along with his daughter and son-in-law. He was quite creative and skilled at carving animals, people, and “hobbit houses”, giving his creations away to family and friends. He spent time in his last years speeding around in his side-by-side with his metal detector exploring the world underneath the surface.

Richard is survived by his five children, Arlene, Richard (Jody) Hickman, Vicky Jahraus (Steven), David (Mary) Hickman, and Patricia (Ralph) Paul. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Other survivors include his brother William “Buddy” Hickman, sisters Bonnie Hickman and Barbara Thompson, brother-in-law George (Ruth Ann) Hull, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margie, his parents, and great-grandson Nathan Paul Hickman.

Burial with military honors will take place at 10 a.m., Friday, January 20^th as his ashes will be reunited with his wife Margie’s.  Together they will be interred at the Montana State Veteran Cemetery at Fort Harrison, in Helena, MT.

As per Richard’s request, Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association.

Service Schedule

Burial with Military Honors

10:00 am

Friday January 20, 2023

Fort Harrison Cemetery

3550 Heroes Rd

Fort Harrison, MT 59602

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