WILLIAM JOSEPH HICKEY, 80, a resident of 25 Diamond Terrace, Dalton since 1963, formerly of Pittsfield, died Monday morning at Laurel Lake Center for Rehabilitation in Lee where he resided for the past month. Born in Pittsfield, September 10, 1926, the son of the late John J. and Mary E. Frawley Hickey, he was educated in Pittsfield schools and was a 1947 graduate of St. Joseph Central High School. He attended Boston University and then transferred to Curry College in Milton where he graduated with a Master of Science in Oratory. A World War II veteran he served with the United States Army, 17th Infantry,
7th Division, from December 1944 to November 1946, with a tour of duty in Okinawa.
Mr. Hickey was a longtime radio broadcaster for forty five years, and had been employed by WBEC in Pittsfield, WNMB, WTXL, and KSWS in New Mexico. From 1973 until 1989, he worked as a security guard for Crane & Co., Incorporated in Dalton where he retired in 1989. After his retirement he served as a volunteer tour guide at the Crane Museum of Papermaking in Dalton throughout the 1990's. He was a communicant of St. Agnes Church and a member of the Knights of
Columbus. In 1990, he was a founder of Dalton Community Cable where he remained active for five years. He was also a member of the Anthony J. DeAngelus Veterans of Foreign Wars in Dalton and the Benjamin F. Sullivan American Legion Post 155 in Dalton. He was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and enjoyed hunting and traveling throughout Europe and Russia.His wife, the former Margaret E. Heffer, whom he married July 8, 1950, at St. Joseph Church in Pittsfield, died September 15, 2005.Mr. Hickey is survived by two sons, Michael J. Hickey of Dalton and Kevin P. Hickey of Pittsfield; a daughter, Lynn E. Gagnon of West Springfield; and three granddaughters.

FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for WILLIAM J. HICKEY, 80, who died Monday, June 25, will be held Friday, June 29, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Agnes Church in Dalton, celebrated by Rev. Christopher A. Malatesta, pastor. Burial will follow in Ashuelot Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Hickey may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Dalton Community Cable, both in care of the DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME, 890 East Main Street, Dalton. Mr. Hickey will be greatly missed by his three granddaughters, Colleen Marie, Danielle Jean, and Jennifer Lee.