Dr. Bill A. Dickey

Dr. Bill A. Dickey, 84, of Pittsburg, passed away at 2:16 a.m., Thursday, April 7, 2022 at Freeman Health System in Joplin, Missouri.

He was born June 7, 1937 at Muskogee, Oklahoma, the son of Dwight and Eula (Webb) Dickey. He graduated from Emporia State University, where he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Physical Education. While attending ESU, he participated in Basketball, Baseball and Track and signed a Major League Baseball contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers as a pitcher. Following graduation, he taught High School Biology at Mulvane and Derby, Kansas, where he coached basketball. Later, he was inducted to the Emporia State University Sports Hall of Fame.

Later, Bill attended Oklahoma State University, where he coached under the legendary Coach Henry Iba, and the University of Arkansas, where he received his Doctorate in Education. He then was hired at Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg as a Professor and later took the role of Chairman of Physical Education Department and as Athletic Director. Dr. Dickey remained in this job for twenty-three years. He loved teaching and he loved his students.

Dr. Dickey then moved to Alamosa, Colorado where he served as a Professor, Chairman of Health & Physical Education Department and as Athletic Director at Adams State College for 13 years.

He and his wife, of 65 years, retired and moved back to Pittsburg. He came out of retirement for one year to serve as Principal for St. Mary’s/Colgan Junior High and High School. Bill loved to make people smile and he loved his family and his grandchildren. He was the Best Dad Ever!

On August 25, 1957, he was united in marriage to Delores “Dee” Yvonne Reusser at Mulvane, Kansas. She survives at the family home.

Membership was held in College Heights United Methodist Church.

In addition to his wife, Dee Dickey of the home, he is survived by two sons, Steve (Cheri) Dickey of Salt Lake City, Utah and Mike (Audrey) Dickey of Pittsburg; a daughter, Kathy (Scott) Richardson of Kansas City, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Zac (Nicole) Dickey, Hillary (Brannon) Green, Emily, Billy, AJ, Ashlee, Alexa, Cooper, Caden and Cavoc; and 4 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday (April 11) at the Brenner Mortuary, where friends may call to sign the register book. The family suggests memorials to the College Heights United Methodist Church and/or St. Jude’s  Hospital. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS  66762. Friends may also leave condolences online at www.brennermortuary.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg, KS.

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