Joe William “JW” Hicks of Durant, passed away Monday, Aug. 5, 2019 at the age of 86. He was born on Aug. 5, 1933 in Brown, Okla. to Archie Evell Hicks and Hannah Hicks.
A lifelong Bryan County resident, JW attended school at Cobb and married the love of his life, Zelda Bridges. The couple shared many wonderful years together until her passing on Nov. 14, 2018. JW was a rancher and in his spare time, he loved spending time with his family. He was a member of Fairview Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.
JW was a quiet man of strong moral convictions and an ability to accurately understand people; regardless of what was said of them. Deeply religious, he never discussed or entered into arguments over God. Like so many other things in life, he held religion, work, fidelity, and acceptance of others as most important. Like all social values, work and love were a behavior and he exhibited the best behavior possible all his life. 
Preceding him in death are his parents, Archie and Hannah Hicks; wife, Zelda Hicks, and sister Dorothy Ann Testerman.
Survivors include his son, Sterling Hicks; daughter, Jane Hicks; granddaughter, Emma Hicks; great-granddaughter, Londyn Smith; cousin, Stanley Hicks along with other extended family members and dear friends.
Services to honor JW’s life will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019 at Brown’s Funeral Service Chapel in Durant with JD Harlin officiating. 
Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery with JD Harlin, Chris Stratton, Stanley Hicks, Eugene Harris, and Terry Gray serving as pallbearers. The family will accept friends Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Durant Funeral and Cremation Service.