Waymon Logan Hickman

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Mr. Waymon Logan Hickman passed away peacefully at home on November 25, 2023 at the age of 89. Mr. Hickman, a respected banking leader and community servant, was born on June 15, 1934, in Obion County, Tennessee, and grew up in Protemus, Tennessee.

A 1952 graduate of the Dixie School, Mr. Hickman began his college career at the University of Tennessee Martin Branch armed with the $300 Jesse H. Jones Agricultural Scholarship. He completed his degree at the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 1956 and upon graduation moved to Columbia, Tennessee. And spent two years teaching agriculture.

In 1958, he joined First Farmers and Merchants Bank and embarked on a community banking career that spanned more than 50 years. Rising to the role of president, CEO and board chair, Mr. Hickman epitomized the bank’s motto of dedication to community service and was instrumental in its growth across the region. Mr. Hickman was a nationally respected and sought after leader in the industry. He served as chair of the Tennessee Bankers Association and was named one of the organization’s Leaders in Banking Excellence. Additionally, Mr. Hickman was a member of the board of directors of the American Bankers Association, director and audit committee chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and president of the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.

Mr. Hickman maintained a lifelong association with the University of Tennessee and commitment to helping others access education. He invested in numerous scholarships at his alma mater and Columbia State Community College, including gifts to create an endowment to help college students afford their education. He also funded scholarships for UT 4-H Youth Development, benefiting thousands of schoolchildren. Named one of the University of Tennessee’s Top 100 alumni, Mr. Hickman served on the UT Board of Trustees and the UT National Alumni Association Board of Governors.

A longtime member of the First United Methodist Church and an armor officer in the Tennessee Army National Guard, Mr. Hickman was unwavering in his service to others and his community. He served in leadership for Boy Scouts of America Middle Tennessee Council, King’s Daughters’ School, Columbia State Community College, Martin Methodist College, Rotary, Columbia Kiwanis Club, Columbia Military Academy, Maury County Chamber of Commerce, UT Maury County Alumni Association and Maury County Mental Health Association, among others. His dedication to service was recognized by Columbia State, who named the Waymon L. Hickman building in his honor. The UT Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center at Spring Hill named its Precision Agricultural Technology Unit for Mr. Hickman.

Mr. Hickman served on the board of Maury Regional Health for 25 years, eight of those as board chair. In 2021, the cardiac department was named in his honor in recognition of his commitment to helping the hospital to maintain modern facilities, utilize state-of-the-art technology, and further grow its highly skilled medical and clinical staff. During his time leading the board, the organization also enhanced its surgical services, cancer services, orthopedic services, and childbirth and neonatal intensive care services. He was honored by the Tennessee Hospital Association in 2007 with its Meritorious Service Award for a Board Member in recognition of his commitment to Maury Regional.

Additionally, Mr. Hickman was the coordinator of the Maury County Saturn Task Force and played a key role in General Motors’ entry into Middle Tennessee. He was recognized as the Tennessee Industrial Development Volunteer of the Year for his efforts.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Zelma Hickman; his first wife and mother of his children, Carey Busby Hickman; sister, Martha Barron, and brother-in-law Jack Barron. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Helen; children Logan (Johnnie) Hickman, William (Mayme) Hickman, Nancy (Mark) McNulty and John (Elizabeth B.) Hickman; stepchildren William (Faye) McEwen, Clark (Brad) Richards and Honey (Clay) Parsons; grandchildren Maggie McNulty, Miles (Katie) McNulty, Andy Hickman, David Hickman and Elizabeth Hickman; step-grandchildren Anna Richards, Evelyn Richards, Lee Richards, Campbell Parsons, Van Parsons and Georgia Parsons; great-grandchildren Dominic Colston and Declan McNulty; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

Active pallbearers are Andy Hickman, David Hickman, Miles McNulty, Lee Barron, Mark Barron, Edward Moore, Jim Neufeldt and Dr. Cummins Couch. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Walter, Doug Williamson, Dan Wheeler and all First Farmers and Merchants Bank employees past and present and the Bruce Strother Sunday School Class.

Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 12pm at Columbia First United Methodist Church with Dr. Jim Hughes and Rev. Melinda Britt officiating. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 10am until the time of the service at Columbia First United Methodist Church. Following the service, there will be a private family burial. The family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to Maury Regional Healthcare Foundation or Columbia State Community College.

The family would like to extend their appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to his caregivers Brenda Malugin, Beverly Moore, Debbria English, Mariela Picasso, and Karla Baker.

The family would also like to extend their appreciation to Dr. Cummins Couch for his invaluable help to our family.