Bill's History
Gone But Not Forgotten
Cadet Fourth Class William H. Hickox, who entered the United States Air Force Academy with the Class of 1964, was killed on 15 February 1961 in a Sabina Airlines Boeing 707 aircraft accident near Brussels, Belgium. He was survived by his parents, Lute and Elinor Hickox of Berkley, CA.
Born in San Francisco, Bill and his sister Laurie were the only children of Lute and Elinor. Bill competed in figure skating singles for several years on the national level, but he and Laurie excelled as a pairs team. After winning the 1960 U.S. junior singles title, Bill retired from competitive skating. A brilliant student, he entered the Air Force Academy in June 1960. After basic cadet training, he was assigned to the 7th Cadet Squadron.
Bill had been at the Academy and off the ice for six months when his mother convinced him to enter the 1961 U.S. Figure Skating Championships with Laurie at the nearby Broadmoor World Arena. After they placed third in senior pairs, the Academy granted Bill permission to miss school and travel abroad as a member of the 1961 U.S. World Figure Skating Team.
The flight originated in New York and was enroute to Brussels. There was no indication of trouble until the aircraft neared the Brussels airport. Bill and his sister Laurie died in the crash, along with 16 other athletes of the 1961 U.S. Figure Skating Team. Another 16 family members, coaches, and officials were among the fatalities. Bill was 19 years old.
(Compiled from various sources by Doug Jenkins, '64)
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