William Luhrs Wicks

William L.Wicks long time resident of Bennington, Vermont died of natural causes January 31, 2026. He is also survived by sons William R. Wicks & wife Marianna, Lisa Wicks and Seth Wicks, 7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. His wife Flora Wicks and son Jason Wicks pre-deceased him. A graveside service will be held at the family plot at Park Lawn cemetery in Bennington come spring.
Bill was a generational farmer who started on Long Island, NY. Then moving with his wife and family to Bennington, VT where they established Wickstock Farms growing produce, cash crops and registered polled Herefords while raising their family of four.
He was an active member of the community and state serving on many boards, committees; Farm Bureau, Republicans (even being asked to consider running for Governor of VT), Soil Conservation, Planning Board, Church, 4-H, etc. Bill was also a Mason, a Lions Club member and a life long Elks member… always willing to lend a hand and a smile. He and his wife Flora hosting exchange students, inviting elementary school classes out to the farm to experience some aspect of farming depending on the season… usually picking pumpkins and feeding the geese.
Bill enjoyed playing Pinochle, riding horses, going to the theater, traveling, deep sea fishing with his brother, antique tractors and antique tractor pulls and was a decent golfer taking time later in life to golf in Florida every winter. He will be missed by his family and friends with all of them knowing he had a good life. So please smile don’t cry and find the joy in life as he did and it usually involved ice cream with his Grandkids and humor. He’d want that for everyone and it’s something farming and animals teach us and remember order dessert first.
Donations may be made to Second Chance Animal Shelter or to your local FFA or Food Bank c/o Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home PO Box 957 Bennington, VT 05201