William Raymond Lickert
Sunday, January 8, 1939 - Wednesday, September 13, 2017
William Raymond (“Bill” or “Billy Ray”) Lickert, 78, of Lexington, passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2017, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.
Survivors include his wife Sue Pearce Lickert; his two sons, Doug (Margie) Lickert of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Dick (Pam) Lickert of Lexington; a grandchild, Amber Nicole Lickert (Ryan) Martin; great-grandson Lucas; sister Nancy (Jim) Sherfey; sister-in-law Joann (Dinsmore) Nisbet; brother-in-law Don (Judy) Pearce; as well as many nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren, and extended family and friends.
Billy Ray was Kentucky High School Mr. Basketball in 1957, and a three time All-SEC and All-American basketball player for the University of Kentucky under Coach Rupp. It was not as widely known that he was also a standout baseball pitcher/catcher in high school and played for UK his freshman year hitting an exceptionally high .435. Billy Ray was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the fifth round of the NBA draft and likely would have played professionally had his love for family (he already had a wife and son) and his hometown of Lexington not taken a higher priority.
After graduating from college, Billy Ray had a highly successful, long-time business career with Mason and Hanger Corporation in Lexington, whereby he climbed the ranks and served as its chief financial officer and secretary/treasurer.
As much as Billy Ray was a gifted All-American athlete and successful businessman, he was an even greater All-American husband, father, family man, and friend. He adored and worshiped his wife Sue and was a father who put his children’s needs first. As hard as he worked, he never missed the chance to attend his sons’ ball games and activities or assist them at a drop of a hat in times of need. He was a humble and good hearted man who never had a bad word to say about anyone. In lieu of cursing when something went wrong, he’d often say “fiddle sticks” or the like.
He enjoyed playing tennis and golf, taking a Sunday drive with Sue, and simply sharing conversation and recounting stories with his many friends – especially in recent years his “lunch bunch” buddies at Immanuel Baptist Church. There was a comfort being around Billy Ray, much like sitting around a fire on a cold winter night. You just felt the warmth and that everything was taken care of.
Billy Ray will continue to be idolized and remembered by many for being an extraordinary athlete, but for his closest friends and family who know him best, it will be that of simply being an extraordinary man. He often commented that he was the luckiest man, but most would say that they were lucky ones to have known and associated with him and he will be sorely missed.
Special thanks to Dr. Gregory Hood, for his excellent medical care of Billy Ray over the years.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: Crestwood Christian Church, UK Athletics Department, American Cancer Society, or American Heart Association.
Visitation Sunday from 5 to 8pm at Milward-Southland. Funeral Monday at 11am at Crestwood Christian Church. Burial at Lexington Cemetery.
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