William (Bill) David Dickens Jr., 98, of Panama City, passed away on Saturday, November 5, 2022 in his home.  He was born August 5, 1924 in Montgomery, Alabama.

After high school, he moved to Rock Island, Illinois, and worked in an ammunitions factory making ammo for the soldiers in WWII. He received an invitation from Uncle Sam to join the military and was soon off to Italy to fight for his country. Being blessed enough to survive the war, he attended the University of Alabama where he met his wife to be.  The couple set up housekeeping in Panama City in 1949 where Bill was employed as an accountant.  He soon found a better position at Thompson Appliance Company where he sold the first television sets in Bay County. Anyone who had a tv knew Bill Dickens.  After a number of years, he realized that he needed to have his own business and purchased the Phillip 66 Petroleum distributorship locally. Although he sold the business years later, he never really retired. He built some warehouses and kept busy making his renters happy.

Bill was a staunch believer in hard work and lived out that conviction, but also allowed himself some fun time.  He became an avid golfer and joined the Panama Country Club.  He was a member of a large group of golfer friends who even named themselves—the Bandits! He also served as president of the country club for 3 years.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Panama City where he served as an usher.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Colleen Dickens; parents, W.D. & Lonie Dickens; and two brothers, James Dickens and Robert Dickens.  He is survived by three children, William David Dickens III (Teresa), Jennifer Dickens Melvin (Paul), and Cary Wilson Dickens; four grandchildren, Jason Melvin (Amy), Kevin Melvin (Christina), Michael Dickens (Chelsea), and Brian Dickens, five great grandchildren, Kiley, Katelynn, Ashton, T.J., and Madison; and a brother, Charles Dickens (Durenne).  Graveside services will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at 2 p.m. in the Greenwood Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1-2 p.m. Thursday prior to the graveside. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Gideons would be appreciated.