Phillip Lacey Hickey

Dad passed away early in the morning on Monday, June 5th, 2017 to the waiting arms of his beloved wife, Caroline.

Phillip Lacey Hickey was born July 29, 1932 in Tatum, New Mexico. It was rumored that his father traded the doctor that helped bring him into the world a saddle. Being born during the Great Depression was not easy, and the family moved many times during his childhood, packing everything they owned and heading to a new destination in a flatbed truck. Although poor monetarily, love and faith were abundant. Family and friends would never tire of hearing the endless shenanigans of his childhood. Dad played football in High School in the small Oregon town of Arlington, earring the position of Quarterback, and graduated from there in 1951. After graduation, he attended Eastern Oregon State College in LaGrande, OR on scholarship, studying accounting.

Dad served his country in active combat during the Korean War in the Army from 1953-1955, yet he never really spoke too much about his experiences there. He did say that at one point he was captured and held as a prisoner of war until his fellow soldiers rescued him. He also told a story that he was on guard duty while Marilyn Monroe visited the troops, and was backstage when she performed.

On a blind date arranged by his good friend Orville, he met his future wife, Caroline Torretta, and they were married September 7, 1958 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Walla Walla. Shortly after they were married, Dad was in a car accident which left him in a coma for 30 days. After regaining consciousness, he had to learn to walk, talk, feed himself and other basic every day things, with his loving wife by his side.

Eventually he recovered well enough to attend Barber College in Pasco, WA, graduating in 1961. Barbering become his second job, as he worked days at St Mary’s hospital, then in the evening would cut hair for friends and family in a Barber Shop he created in the basement of his residence. Dad retired from St Mary’s in 1993.

He was a wonderful father, always willing to help his kids out from fixing a flat tire on their bicycle to rescuing their jeep from the mountains. His co-workers often spoke of Dad’s sense of humor on the job, and even though the work was hard, he never complained.

Dad is survived by two children, William Hickey and Kathy Jo Gonzalez, four grandchildren, Rachelle, Riley Jo, Jaden, and Jayelle Gonzalez, three brothers, Jerolee and wife Kay Hickey of Starbuck WA, Enoch and wife Bernita Hickey of Pendleton, OR, Grady Hickey of Pendleton, OR, two sisters, Sharon Waters and husband Ron of Lyons OR, and Ginger Watson and husband Gary, of Warrenton OR, and numerous nieces and nephews. Dad was preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Della Hickey, and the love of his life, his wife, Caroline.

Viewing and Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home from 10AM until 7PM. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 1:00 PM at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home with Pastor Ron Alexander, Officiating.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Blue Mountain Humane Society or the Meals On Wheels Program through the funeral home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362

Family and Friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com