Wilber Lee O' Hicks

Wilber Lee O'Daniel Hicks, 87, of Syracuse, Utah passed away peacefully on November 4, 2025, with family and friends around him. After an 18-year battle with cancer, he has been reunited with his eternal companion and other family who have gone before him.

Will was born to Horace Newton and Nannie Elizabeth (Robertson) Hicks in San Marcos, Texas on September 7, 1938. Dad was an energetic young man who loved to play outside with family, animals and use his imagination with handmade toys in the vast outdoors in Texas. Dad always had a sense of humor with everything he did, and we were all better for it. He grew up loving the idea of cowboys and cattlemen. Will enjoyed playing sports such as football, basketball and baseball throughout his school years.

After graduating from Somerset High School in May of 1957 Will joined the United States Air Force in July of 1957. After basic training at Lackland AFB, he was stationed at Lake Charles AFB, Louisiana. Will got out of the US Air Force after four years of service in July of 1961. After trying a few different jobs, he decided to re-enlist into the US Air Force in March of 1964. Will's first station was to Hill AFB in Utah. In May 1965 while stationed in Utah, Will met Clara Diane Bingham. After a brief courtship they would soon get married in September of 1965 beginning a 55 year marriage.

Will was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on April 21, 1979. On June 20, 1980, mom and dad were sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS temple for time and all eternity. Dad held many positions in the church including: High Priest Group Leader, Ward Clerk, Counselor in Bishoprics and Stake Missionary as a Seventy. Dad had a very strong testimony in his savior and of the gospel. He was happy to share his testimony with anyone who wanted to hear it.

Will and Diane would live in: Andersen AFB, Guam, Travis AFB, California, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, Whiteman AFB, Missouri, a second assignment to Andersen AFB, Guam, a second assignment to Travis AFB, California. Will then had an opportunity to attend electronics school at Lowry AFB, Colorado and then a final assignment to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho where dad retired from the US Air Force. While in the US Air Force dad served in Vietnam at Cam Ranh Bay from 1968-1969. Dad earned many awards and accommodations while in the Air Force. His experiences and lessons learned while in the Air Force would shape who dad was for the rest of his life, he took much pride in his service to his country.

Mom and Dad decided to move to Utah after dad retired. They bought a home in Clearfield, Utah where they spent the next 37 years. The friends they made while living in Clearfield would last for the rest of mom and dad's lives.

After the US Air Force dad went on to work for 19 years at Great Salt Lake Minerals (GSL). He loved all of those who he worked with, he made many friends during that time. After leaving GSL dad enjoyed two seasonal jobs. From May to November, he would work at Schnieder's Bluff golf course in West Point, Utah. Dad had a passion for the game of golf. He loved playing all over the Wasatch Front with a foursome of friends who became brothers to him. Then when golf was paused for the winter, dad would work for H&R Block doing taxes until April. He loved both jobs, mainly because it allowed him to meet many new people. Dad continued these jobs until the effects of his treatments made it too hard.

Dad is survived by two children: Janine Hicks of Gonzales, Louisiana and Randy Hicks (Steffanie) of Syracuse, Utah. Three grandchildren: Payton L. Hicks of Washington State, Carter R. (Lexi) Hicks of New Jersey and Brinlee J. Hicks of Syracuse, Utah. Dad is survived by his siblings Edman (Mary), Hicks Texas, Bernice Schupp of Texas and Robert (Janet) Hicks of Texas.

Also survived by brother and sister in-law Vern Bingham, Utah and Lavora Strate, Utah. Dad is also survived by many nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.

Dad is preceded in death by his wife Clara Diane (Bingham) Hicks. Siblings Vator Hicks who died as a child, Earl Hicks, Hazel Henserling, William Hicks who died at birth, Carlton Hicks, Harvey Hicks, Maurine Nixon, Arthur Hicks, Beatrice Hux.

We would like to thank some of those who have cared for dad over the years. First, to Dr. Ryan Stewart and his staff. They went above and beyond to provide care for dad and also tolerated his sense of humor. Dr. Jason Stinnett and his staff, for their love and care with all his visits for shots and appointments. Lastly, the caring staff at Raintree Assisted Living who cared for dad. You created an environment that included him and the gentleness that was provided in his final days did not go unnoticed.

Funeral Services will be held Monday November 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Layton Lindquist Mortuary at 1867 N. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah. A Viewing will be held on Sunday November 9, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Mortuary. A family prayer will occur at 10:30 a.m. just before the funeral service begins.

Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd.