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A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor and loving memory of Billy 1
Wayne Hicks. 2
WHEREAS, Billy Wayne Hicks was born on August 23, 1952, and was a native 3
son of Ages Bottom in Harlan County, Kentucky. He was a natural athlete that loved to 4
play basketball, baseball, and softball. He especially enjoyed playing softball with his 5
brother Herschel on the Doc's Raiders team; and 6
WHEREAS, Billy Wayne Hicks earned a basketball scholarship to Wofford 7
College and obtained a teaching degree in order to escape the challenges of the coal 8
mines of eastern Kentucky. Upon graduation in 1974, he returned to Kentucky to marry 9
the love of his life, Betsy, on December 18, 1976. Billy Wayne Hicks began his teaching 10
and coaching career in 1978 at his alma mater, Evarts High School; and 11
WHEREAS, Billy Wayne Hicks enjoyed teaching; however, his passion was 12
coaching boys basketball. Coach Hicks spent 38 years coaching boys basketball across 13
the Commonwealth; and 14
WHEREAS, Coach Hicks retired in 2019 as the winningest coach in Kentucky 15
basketball history with 1,023 wins. He won one regional title at Corbin Independent. 16
While at Scott County High School, Coach Hicks won 13 regional titles, and in 1998 and 17
2007, his teams won the state championship. During his coaching tenure, his teams set a 18
record for state tournament wins. Coach Hicks was chosen to coach the 2012 McDonald's 19
All American Basketball team; and 20
WHEREAS, Coach Hicks found peace and solitude in fishing, hiking, kayaking, 21
gardening, and canning his seasonal harvests. He was known for his southern-style 22
cooking, legendary chili, smoked brisket, and fried fish. Friends and family would often 23
joke that Coach Hicks was a friend to all, except for fish; and 24
WHEREAS, Coach Hicks will have his legacy continue through his membership in 25
the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame, the Billy Hicks Classic, and the 26
Tyler Hicks Scholarship Fund; and 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 2381
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WHEREAS, on December 3, 2023, Coach Hicks passed away at his home at the 1
age of 71. He was a coach, teacher, mentor, storyteller, husband, brother, uncle, friend, 2
reader, traveler, father of two, father-figure to countless others, and "Buddy" to his 3
grandson and best friend, Wyler. Coach Hicks has dribbled his last basketball, hooked his 4
last fish, and cooked his last feast; and 5
WHEREAS, Coach Hicks was preceded in death by his parents, Orie and Maggie 6
Hicks; brothers, Venice, Ken, and Robert Hicks; sister, Bernice Larsen; nephew, David 7
Arthur; and his beloved and cherished son, Tyler Hicks; and 8
WHEREAS, Coach Hicks is survived by his wife, Betsy; daughter, Ashley (Jed) 9
Johnson; grandson, Wyler Nash Johnson; nephew, Jim Bob Hicks; and many other family 10
members and friends. The Scott County community and the Commonwealth of Kentucky 11
will remember fondly the kindness, generosity, humble demeanor, and persistence of 12
Coach Billy Hicks; 13
NOW, THEREFORE, 14
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 15
Kentucky: 16
Section 1. The members of the Senate do hereby express their deepest 17
sympathy upon the passing of Billy Wayne Hicks, posthumously recognize his coaching 18
achievements and success, and applaud his work as an educator and mentor to many high 19
schoolers across the Commonwealth. 20
Section 2. When the Senate adjourns this day, it does so in honor and loving 21
memory of Coach Billy Wayne Hicks. 22
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 23
Resolution to Senator Damon Thayer for delivery to the family. 24