Loren W. “Bill” Hickerson

Reverend Loren W. “Bill” Hickerson, 89, of Newton, Kansas, passed away on March 10, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his family. Born on March 5, 1937, in Newton to Loren J. and Zella M. Stoulfus Hickerson, Bill dedicated 54 years to ministry with the United Church of Christ. He served congregations in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts, Harlan, Iowa, Great Bend, Kansas, Lakewood, Colorado, Neillsville, Wisconsin, Levasy, Missouri, and Newton, Kansas. He retired from full-time ministry at Ebenezer United Church of Christ in Levasy in 2000, after which he continued to serve part-time at First United Church of Christ in Newton and as interim minister at Highland Trinity United Church of Christ in Newton. Through his faithful service, Bill touched countless lives with his Christian ministry.

Beyond his calling, Bill’s greatest joy was his family. He cherished every moment spent camping, fishing, and traveling with them. He remained deeply committed to serving others throughout his life, volunteering as a fireman, serving as a police chaplain, advocating for children through CASA, and teaching as a college instructor. He was also a member of the Newton Masonic Lodge, the Midian Shrine Temple in Wichita, and several other civic organizations.

Bill was raised in Newton and graduated from Newton High School with the Class of 1955. He married Karen K. Pummill on November 27, 1957, in Newton. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wichita in 1961 and a Master of Divinity from Hartford Theological Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1966.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Bill is survived by his wife Karen of Newton; his children, Dan Hickerson and wife Jennifer of Wichita, Kansas, Dave Hickerson and wife Geri of Wichita, Kansas, Cindi Forney and husband Merrit of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Marc Hickerson and wife Jamie of Battlefield, Missouri, and foster daughter Georgia Dietz of Sioux City, Iowa; his grandchildren, Melanie Davison, Casey Tarrant, Lindsay Hay, Christine Umbehr, Michael McCoy, John Hickerson, Bethany Forney, Aaron Hickerson, Scott Hickerson, Anne Davis, Taylor Hickerson, Joe Hickerson, Natalie Hickerson, Trevor Forney, Lauryn Harper, and Jude Hickerson; and 28 great-grandchildren.