WILLIAM STANLEY "STAN" HICKS

1947-2010

"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." -- II Corinthians 5:8

William Stanley "Stan" Hicks, 62, of Panama City, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 1, 2010. Stan was born on November 12, 1947 in Dothan, Alabama. He was educated in the public schools in Ashford, AL where he developed relationships with classmates and friends that lasted his entire lifetime. He accepted Christ and was baptized in the First Baptist Church of Ashford at an early age which served as the foundation for his personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Dr. M. Cummings, anesthesiologist at the SE Medical Center in Dothan, AL, was responsible for directing Stan into choosing anesthesia as his profession which became a "calling" for Stan. He facilitated Stan's acceptance into the University Hospital School of Nursing in Birmingham, AL, where he graduated in 1969. Stan served in the US Air Force for 2 years in Omaha, NE and then graduated from the School of Anesthesia at Duke University in 1974.

Stan spent his career as a nurse anesthetist in the Panama City area for 36 years, starting at the Bay Medical Center in 1974. When the Gulf Coast Medical Center opened in 1977, Stan, Lynn Johnson, Peggy Laird, and Susan Davis set up the anesthesia department and provided 24/7 anesthesia coverage for the hospital. He returned to Bay Medical Center when Dr. John Gooding started his anesthesia practice in Panama City. Stan was respected for his anesthesia skills and compassion shown to patients and their families. He enjoyed being a clinical advisor to the Gooding Institute of Nurse Anesthesia students during his tenure at Bay Medical. Stan retired from Bay Medical in 2005, but continued to provide anesthesia services at PCSC and NWFSC part time because of his love for his profession.

Stan was active member of the First Baptist Church, where he served as a member of the Financial Committee. One of Stan's biggest regrets after becoming ill was that he would be unable to return to Church.

Stan was extremely proud of his 2 boys, Andy and Craig, and the fine young men they have become. The fact they have both chosen the medical field as their professions was extremely rewarding to him.

Laura Love was the love of his life, his friend and his life mate. One of the highlights of their life was their trip to the Holy Land in March 1999. Not only was it a life changing experience to walk where Jesus walked but a special bond developed with those on the trip. Stan was a member of Tide Pride and enjoyed making trips to Tuscaloosa, tailgating with friends and supporting BAMA football.

Stan is preceded in death by his mother, Maggie Hicks, his brother, Dennis Hicks, his nephew, Heath Hicks, his mother and father-in-law, Dick and Dixie Watson, and brother-in-law, Ted L. Watson. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Laura Love Watson Hicks, son, Andy Hicks and his wife Debbie, son, Craig Hicks, father, Eural Hicks, brother, Steve Hicks and wife Joan, nephew, Hayden Hicks and wife Alicia, sister- in-law, Margie Hicks, nephew, Michael Hicks, nephew, Chris Hicks and wife Janet and nephew, Ted L. Watson, Jr. and wife Kerry.

The celebration of life service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Panama City at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 6, 2010 with the family receiving friends from 10:00 am until service time. Graveside services will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that everyone spend extra time with their spouse and family. If you wish, donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Panama City Building Fund, P.O. Box 1200, Panama City, FL 32402 or the Anesthesia Educational Scholarship Foundation with checks made payable to Bay Medical Foundation (Note on the check "In memory of Stan Hicks for Gooding Institute") and mail to the Bay Medical Center, 625 N Bonita Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401. Credit Card donations for the Anesthesia Educational Scholarship Foundation can also be made by calling 850/747-6872.

Pallbearers will be Dr. Jack Daly, Russ Moore, Michael Hicks, Hayden Hicks, Chris Hicks, Ted Watson, Col. Ret. Jerry Burg, and Dr. Joe Maniscalco.

Honorary pallbearers are Terry Collins, Steve Wilson, Harry Peterson, Ray Moore, Joe Smith, Danny Hicks, Panama City Medical Community, David Gibson's Sunday School Class, the members of the Emerald Coast Red Elephant Club and the Ashford, AL High School Class of 1966.

Wilson Funeral Home