William Lawrence "Bill" Dickens

William L. “Bill” Dickens, age 81, left this world and joined his Heavenly Father on Friday, November 9, 2012. Bill was born and raised in Thomaston, GA, the son of Franklin and Sara Dickens. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and went on to Emory University where he graduated with distinction earning a B.S. Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. He is a graduate of the L.S.U. School of Banking. Immediately upon graduation from Emory, Bill was accepted into the U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidate Training program. He was commissioned into the Corps and served 3 years on active duty. Bill was then commissioned into the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and served 27 additional years rising to the rank of Colonel. He was a member and XO and Commander of the Corps Reserve National Pistol Team. Bill earned the designation of Marine Distinguished Pistol Shot, and the team was the first Marine Reserve team to win the Edson Trophy which is awarded to the four man team winning the annual division matches held at Quantico, VA. Bill also had a long career in banking, working with several banks including C&S Bank in Atlanta, GA, State National Bank in Decatur, AL, Central Bank and Compass Bancshares in Birmingham, AL, and Colonial Bank in Montgomery, AL. Later in life, Bill worked with Jim Wilson & Associates and then the N.R.A. as a membership enrollment representative. He was very active in the Friends of the N.R.A. chapter in Mobile County and served as chairman for many years. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Patricia Dunn; wife, Martha Searcy Dickens; and daughter, Laura Dickens Phillips Cumbo. He is survived by his children, Sally Mask Hilliker (Rob), Ed Dickens (Cindy), Ross Dickens (Michelle), and Betsy Dickens Guy (Johnny); grandchildren, Frank Egan (Lanie), Robin Mask Bareford (Taylor), Carson Dickens, Alison Dickens Brettschneider (Brad), Nathan Dickens, Kathleen Dickens, Chip Phillips, Chris Phillips, Anna Dickens, West Dickens, Will Dickens, Steven Guy, and Rebecca Guy; great-grandchild, Brooklyn Egan; and the mother of his children, Barbara West Erwin. Bill is also survived by his second wife, Jean Dickens, her four children and grandchildren. A memorial service was held in Mobile, AL on Sunday, November 11, 2012, at Springhill Presbyterian Church with Rev. Mike Anderson officiating.