Archie Vick Bickley

Archie Vick Bickley, 83, was born on August 13, 1933, in Goose Creek, Texas, to Norley F. Bickley, Sr. and Minnie Vick Bickley.  He joined his beloved wife, Alma, in his heavenly home on 07/01/2017.

Archie grew up in Highlands and attended Robert E. Lee High School.  He and his brother worked in various construction jobs as young men.  Archie was an ironworker by trade, and belonged to Local Union 84 for 65 years.  He also worked in the pre-cast concrete industry, and often pointed out his job sites throughout the greater Houston area.  Before retiring, he established TNT Erection Company, installing elevator fronts.

An avid hunter and fisherman, Archie enjoyed many adventures in the great outdoors.  He loved hunting deer at the Major Ranch near Uvalde.  He traveled to Colorado several times to hunt elk.  Fishing was an important part of his life.  He built a cabin on Lake Livingston, where the family made many happy memories.  He later changed to salt water fishing in Trinity and Galveston Bay.  He traveled to Alaska five times to fish with friends and family members at Tanaku Lodge.  On his last trip, he caught a 313 pound halibut.

Archie was a 57 year member of Highlands First Baptist Church.  He also served as a deacon at Highlands Missionary Baptist Church as a young man.  His strong faith gave him great comfort in his battle with cancer.  The Masonic Lodge played an important role in Archie's life.  He was an endowed member of Sampson Lodge No. 231.  He joined the lodge in 1957 and served as Worshipful Master in 1965.  Archie was awarded the Golden Trowel for his work in the Lodge.  He was proud that his sons-in-law, grandson, and grandsons-in-law were inspired to join the Masonic Fraternity.  He was a member of the Shriners, the Arabian Shrine Temple, and the Baytown Shrine Club.  He loved collecting money for the Shriners Hospitals every year at the Highlands Jamboree Parade.  He also joined the cooking team, making beans for a number of local fundraisers.  As an endowed member of the Scottish Rite, he was awarded the Order of the Double Eagle.

Archie was proud of his community and enjoyed working tirelessly to support the schools, fire department, and local law enforcement officers.  His visits to the barber shop helped him keep abreast of community news.  In 2015, he was honored by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce as the recipient of the Terry Davis Award for outstanding community service.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 66 years, Alma Bickley, and brother, Norley F. Bickley, Jr.  Survivors include his three daughters and their husbands, Roseanna and Don Henrichsen of Highlands, Vicki and Kent Erwin of Highlands, and Paula and Joe Carothers, Jr. of Mont Belvieu.  Pawpaw's grandchildren are Darla Harman and friend Steve Louden, Eric Henrichsen and wife Alice, Jessica Campbell and husband Gary, and Deanna Major and husband Travis.  Great-grandchildren include Coy and Ashley Campbell, Sullivan, Jones, and Julianna Major, and Brady Henrichsen.  Other survivors include his sister and brother-in-law Dorothy and Larry Neeley of Hughes Springs and numerous nieces, nephews, and family members.

Family members will serve as pallbearers.  Honorary pallbearers are Mark Clamon, Thomas Lamb, Robert Parker, and Maurice Robbins.

The family would like to express their heart-felt gratitude to the doctors and staff of M.D. Anderson, Traditions-Hallmark Hospice, and caretaker and friend, Janie Lopez.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Shriners Children Hospitals or M. D. Anderson.  Services are tentatively scheduled for 07/05/2017 at Sterling White Funeral Home and Cemetery.  Please visit www.sterlingwhite.com for further details.

Archie will always be remembered for his love of God, family, community, and country.  He was a big man with a big heart.  His size 13 shoes will be hard to fill.

A visitation for family and friends will be held at Sterling-White Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., followed by services at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be private. Arrangements entrusted to Sterling-White Funeral Home, 11011 Crosby-Lynchburg Rd., Highlands, Texas 77562. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.sterlingwhite.com.

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