William Edward "Bicky" Higginbothom Jr.'s Obituary
William Edward, “Bicky,” Higginbothom, Jr., of Fayetteville, died Tuesday May 6, 2025, at Washington Regional Medical Center, from complications of myeloma. He was 76.
The oldest of three sons born to William Edward Higginbothom and Ruth West Higginbothom, Bicky was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on December 4, 1948. He lived in Stuttgart, Arkansas, until the summer before he entered the ninth grade, when his family moved to Helena. In that year he met Spencer Epes, whom he dated until their marriage in 1971 and to whom he was married for fifty-three years. He was an outstanding multi-sport high school athlete and graduated from Helena High School in 1967.
In 1972 he earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and where he made many lifelong friends. He then attended the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where he earned an M.D. and specialized in urology. He practiced medicine in Little Rock and then in Fayetteville until his retirement in 2013. He was affiliated with the Northwest Arkansas Urology Clinic and the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks. He was a Board Certified Urologist, a member of the American Urology Association, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Bicky was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. He was completely devoted to his family, and considered his time with his grandchildren to be the most rewarding blessing of his life (besides Spencer). In addition to spending time with his family, he enjoyed playing golf. He liked learning about, acquiring, and drinking wine. His favorite experiences included traveling with friends, especially to horse races. Most recently, he became an expert trip planner.
Bicky is survived by his wife Spencer, his daughter Kate Hood and her husband Kin, of Fayetteville, his son William Edward Higginbothom III and his wife Kate, of Alexandria, Virginia, and four grandchildren: Kincannon Edward Hood, Spencer Melinda Hood, William Edward Higginbothom IV, and Lillian Kathleen Higginbothom. He is also survived by his brothers Steve and Mark Higginbothom, Steve’s wife Diane, and his aunt Sara Hope Burnside. He was pre-deceased by his parents and his sister-in-law Lisa Higginbothom.
Bicky will be remembered for being a constant and loyal friend, for being unfailingly kind and conscientious in his personal and professional relationships, and for his congenial sense of humor.
A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m., following a private interment in the St. Paul’s columbarium. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Bicky to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 1190, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72202, or to the Humane Society of the Ozarks, P.O. Box 11174, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72703.
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