Wayne Hickman

View Funeral Webcast Howard Wayne Hickman, 72, retired Chief of the Columbia Fire Department and current Maury County Commissioner, died unexpectedly Friday, December 18, 2009 at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 12:00 Noon at Oakes & Nichols with Rev. David McGregor officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery with honors provided by the Columbia Fire Department Honor Guard. The family will visit with friends Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home concluding with Masonic Rites conducted by Columbia Masonic Lodge #31. The family suggests memorials be made to McCains Cumberland Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 29, Columbia 38402. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com. A life-long resident of Maury County, he was the son of the late Howard Hickman and Maydell Aydelotte Hickman. He was a 1955 graduate of Columbia Central High School and member of the Lions football team. Active in the Boy Scouts of America, he was honored to attain the rank of Eagle Scout in 1954. He joined the Columbia Fire Department July 1, 1963. In March, 1966 he became a Fire Inspector and served in that position until his appointment to the position of Fire Chief July 1, 1978. He remained in that position until his retirement February 1, 1994. While serving as Fire Inspector for the City of Columbia, he was instrumental in organizing the Tennessee Fire Safety Inspectors Association and served as President. For 16 years he served on the Advisory Board for the Tennessee Fire Training Center. Chief Hickman was not only an expert in fire-fighting and prevention, he was a student of the history of noteworthy fires in Maury County. His diligent and tireless research for a number of years resulted in the only such known history on the subject. He was currently serving as 2nd Vice President and former Board member of the Tennessee Fire Chiefs' Association and was a member of Tennessee Firemen's Association. Following his retirement he became associated with Oakes & Nichols Funeral Directors and for a number of years assisted with services on a part-time basis. During his retirement, he became interested in using his computer. A result of his "tinkering" was the re-creation of the 1955 Central High School Class picture, now hanging at Oakes & Nichols. He was elected Fifth District Commissioner to the Maury County Commission in 1998 and was currently serving his third term. During this period, he served on numerous committees within the commission. Active in the affairs of Columbia Masonic Lodge #31 since his induction January 29, 1967, he served as Worshipful Master in 1971 and was a member of Columbia York Rite Bodies. Mr. Hickman was currently a member of the Advisory Board of Trustees of Maury Regional Medical Center; was a former member of Columbia Elks Lodge #686; charter member of Columbia Band Boosters; served on Board of Directors of the Maury County March of Dimes and Neighbors Concerned; was a Water Safety Director for the Maury County Chapter of the American Red Cross and taught Senior Life Saving Classes for 14 years. He was a former member and served as an Elder of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church and for the past several years worshipped at McCains Cumberland Presbyterian Church.Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Rodgers Hickman of Columbia, whom he married May 5, 1957; daughter, Beth (Mark) Brothers of Nashville; granddaughter, Stephanie Brothers of Nashville; brother, Al( Leslie) Hickman of Columbia; nieces, Christy (Willie) Street and Laura Hickman; and nephew, Brent (Tammy) Hickman; great-nieces, Emily Street and Avery Hickman; brothers-in-law, Jimmy (Ellen) Rodgers and Johnny Rodgers and their families; and special friend, Becky Patterson.Active pallbearers are Brent Hickman, Eddie Hickman, M. T. Potts, George Woody, Frank Harris, Clyde Yeager, and Mike Barnick. Honorary pallbearers include past and present members of the Columbia Fire Department, County Mayor James Bailey and members of the Maury County Commission; Maury County Ambulance Service; E-911 Staff; and physicians and staff of the Maury Regional Medical Center Coronary Care Unit.