Bill was an avid fan of all sports

Saturday 13th April cast a dark shadow over the Ballyflnane, Castlemaine and Milltown areas with the death of Bill Hickey of Maple Road, Ard na Grienne, Milltown,
and formerly of Boherboy, Ballyflnane, after an illness, bravely borne.

Bill was born on the 6th May 1978, the eldest of four children, to Tim and Joan (nee Dowling) Hickey, Ballyfinane. He attended Ballyfinane national school and later secondary school in Killorglin. After completing his education Bill went on to work as a blocklayer and was well renowned for his exactness to detail. His work carried all over Kerry, as well as Wicklow, Galway and London. In London he worked with local Castlemaine man Mike O'Neill. It was certainly a case of first impression did not last as they went on to forge a great working relationship after a few early hiccups.

Bill was an avid sports fan and be it Anfield with Liverpool, Thomond Park with Munster or Croke Park with Kerry he always let it be known where he stood in the loyalty stakes. In his younger days he played underage football with Milltown/Castlemaine and was at midfield on the Mid Kerry Minor Championship winning side in the '90s.

Indeed Bill had his accommodation and travel arrangements made to travel to Croke Park in February 2012 to see some of his former team mates lift the All-Ireland Intermediate title. Unfortunately, after been diagnosed in late 2011, his illness progressed to a stage that denied him the opportunity to travel. However, he made sure he made it to the Shanty for the first pit stop on the way home!

Bill liked nothing better than to socialise locally and one had to be at the top of their game if they were to outwit or down him on any range of topics as his vast knowledge was often put to the test and more often that not he triumphed.
The last few weeks of Bill's life proved to be a struggle but huge thanks must go to nursing staff of both Tralee and Cork hospitals, the Palliative Care unit and his family and friends who diligently took care of him in the final stages.
Bill is survived by his partner Debbie and her family, his parents Tim and Joan, sisters Norma and Marguerite, brother Michael, relatives and a large circle of friends.

Bill was laid to rest in the family grave in St. Michael's Cemetery, Currow.

Rest in peace Bill.
Courtesy of Bill Hickey Tweet

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