William Donald "Sonny" Hicks

William Donald "Sonny" Hicks, age 91, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2026. Born on April 26, 1935, Sonny was the son of the late William Henry Hicks and Ruth Gibson Hicks. A lifelong member of the Cleveland and Bradley County community, Sonny devoted his life to his family, his church, his profession, athletics, and service to others.

Sonny was a graduate of BCHS, Class of 1953, and continued his education at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and Tennessee Wesleyan.

Throughout his professional career, Sonny was known for his leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit. He worked at Brown Stove and Magic Chef, where he was instrumental in installing the company's first computer system. He later served as Director of Purchasing at Athens Stove before becoming the original owner of Hicks Sales and Universal Springs.

Sports were an important part of Sonny's life. He was a retired TSSAA official specializing in football and basketball and was inducted into the TSSAA Athens Officials Association Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the Bradley County Old Timers Sports Hall of Fame and received the Distinguished Service Award from the East Tennessee Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. He coached numerous youth teams in the Cleveland and Bradley County area. For many years, Sonny was proudly known as the "Voice of the Blue Raiders" for Cleveland High School, a role that reflected his deep love for local athletics and the young people who participated in them.

Sonny's commitment to Cleveland extended well beyond the athletic field. He served as a Cleveland City Commissioner with responsibilities involving Fire as well as Parks and Recreation. He was a past president and member of the Board of Directors of the Cleveland Country Club and was actively involved in numerous civic and charitable organizations throughout his life, including the Bradley Cleveland Community Services Agency, Cleveland Jaycees, Empty Stocking Fund, Reverend Littlefield Ministries, and Creating Christmas Memories.

His faith was central to his life. Sonny was an active and devoted member of Wesley Memorial Church, where he held numerous leadership positions through the years. He was especially proud to have been instrumental in the creation of the church's Memorial Garden, a place that will now serve as his final resting place.

Above all, Sonny treasured his family and the many friendships he developed throughout his life. He leaves behind a legacy of service, generosity, community involvement, and countless memories shared with those who knew and loved him.

Sonny is survived by his beloved wife, Pat Goins Hicks; daughter, Kellye Hicks Bender (Andy); son, Wes Hicks (Amy); Rick Barnette (Judy), who was loved like a son, Robin Roberts Hicks, daughter-in-law.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, William David Hicks (Tami), Laura Hicks Harris (Kyle), Kathryn Kelso Bender, Karoline Bender King (Jamial), and Mary Elizabeth Hicks; and his great-grandchildren, Brooklynn Hicks, Jackson Hicks, Madison Hicks, Graham Hicks, Abigail Hicks, Hadley Harris, Hayes Harris, Landen Harris, Averi King, Alex King, and Knox Bender.

Other cherished family members include nieces Stephanie Goins Fields and Sydney Goins Watson; his godchildren, Tim Cartwright and Jill Cartwright McGuire; and special friends, Anthony Burger, Billy Sweatman, and Lloyd Glen Ware.

In addition to his parents, Sonny was preceded in death by his son, William Scott Hicks and Bernice Irish, mother-in-law.

Sonny's family will receive friends on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. in Founders Hall of Wesley Memorial Church, 3405 Peerless Road NW, Cleveland, TN 37312. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary, with Rev. Chris Rouse and Rev. Ramon Torres officiating. Sonny will be laid to rest in the Wesley Memorial Church Memorial Garden following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Wesley Memorial Church Memorial Garden.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Sonny or offer condolences to his family through his online memorial at www.companionfunerals.com.

Companion Funeral & Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Hicks family with these arrangements.