William Travis Hicks, 85, of Bay City, passed away March 28, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Houston, Texas after a brief illness involving his heart and lungs. He was born December 13, 1940, in Franklin, Texas, to the late Calvin Wilton Hicks and Artie Faye Jett Hicks. He grew up in the Hearne area and moved to Matagorda County in 1957, attending Tidehaven High School and graduating from Van Vleck High School where he excelled in track and basketball. Travis attended Wharton County Junior College and later served in the US Army. His last duty station being Schofield Barracks in Wahiawa, Hawaii where he was joined by his wife, Margaret.

Travis and Margaret Knebel Hicks were married in December 1966. They lived in Bay City where both of their children, Kent and Kim, were born. Travis enjoyed playing slow pitch baseball, dove hunting, and fishing. He never learned to swim or waterski, but he taught so many to waterski and spent hours pulling skiers including his children and their friends in the Colorado River, Tres Palacios River, and Lake Breeze Ski Lodge, McQueeney, Texas.

Travis was a devout member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and a member of American Legion Post 0649, Blessing, Texas. Although he never joined many organizations, he supported Margaret in every endeavor she was involved in. He loved cheering Kent on in baseball, swimming, and football as well as Kim in swimming and dancing. Travis also loved watching the grandchildren compete in sports. He was so proud of Samantha, Mason, and Cullen’s accomplishments. They often referred to him as “Grump Paw”. The only game he enjoyed playing with the family was Chicken Foot. His favorite pastime was keeping the yard in pristine order.

Travis’s occupation was supporting the oil and gas industry working for Amoco, Cherco, Toromont, Exterran, Weatherford, Universal and Enerflex. His last projects before retiring were with Kinder-Morgan in Clemville, Texas and the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas.

Travis loved being with the family at Lake Tahoe each Thanksgiving for 22 years. He also enjoyed cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, and from Normandy through Paris, Germany and the Czech Republic. He enjoyed his gym time with friends at the MRMC Wellness Center.

He was a kind and gentle man with a beautiful smile and sparkling blue eyes. Travis was a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He loved and cherished his family.

Travis is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Virginia Trlicek; and in-laws Eleanor and George Knebel. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Knebel Hicks; son, William Kent Hicks; daughter, Kimberly Hicks Cashion (Steve); brother, Roy Hicks; sister, Nancy Hicks Schumann (James); granddaughter, Samantha Pena (Holder); and grandsons, Mason Hicks, and Cullen Cashion.

The family will receive relatives and friends for visitation beginning at 5:00pm Friday, April 10, 2026, at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home with a Rosary to follow at 6:30pm. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00am Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Rev. Stephen Vacek officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2001 Katy Avenue, Bay City, Texas, Holy Cross Catholic School Foundation, PO Box 571, Bay City, Texas 77404, or the charity of your choice.

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