Leslie Bill Kick
Westmoreland
Leslie Bill Kick, 92, of Westmoreland, passed away at home on Saturday, December 8th, 2012. He was born on March 13th, 1920, in Auburn, NY. He was the son of Myrtle and John Kick. Bill developed a love of the outdoors in his teenage years, as he frequently went hiking in the Adirondack Mountains. He graduated from Port Byron High School in 1937 as the valedictorian of his class. In 1940, he joined the Canadian Army. In 1941, when the United States entered World War II, all Americans who joined the Canadian Army were required to go back to the States. That is when Bill became a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, headquartered in Ft. Bragg, NC. During the next four years, he saw action at Normandy, Holland, Sicily, North Africa and the Battle of the Bulge. When the war ended, he married Veronica Maria Tabaczyk of Auburn, NY. He earned his Bachelors degree from the School of Forestry at Syracuse University in 1949. Soon after graduation, the Korean War began and he found himself back in the 82nd Airborne Division fighting in Korea. Once he completed his tour in Korea, Bill started his career with the United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, where he worked as a Soil Scientist in various locations throughout New York State. A highly respected Soil Scientist in his field, he retired in 1975. Bills long and active retirement included hunting, hiking, canoeing, and working in his wood lots. He became a regular at the Vernon Downs horse track and The Turning Stone Casino where he could be found at the Black Jack tables. He continued working for many years as a consultant Soil Scientist. His first wife, Veronica, died in 1976, and he married Norah Fellows in 1985. Bill remained active in veterans' groups nearly to the end. He is survived by his wife, Norah Kick; a son, John Kick, of Amherst, MA; a daughter, Carol Beaver and her husband, James, of Ocala, FL; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Bill was predeceased by his first wife and his grandson. A memorial service in honor of Bills life will take place in June of 2013 after burial of his ashes at the St. Marys Cemetery in Clinton, NY. Donations may be made in Bills name to Disabled American Veterans (www.dav.org). Arrangements by Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc., Clinton.
Leslie "Bill" Kick
This gentleman was a lifelong friend of my father. He survived all 4 combat jumps, 3 with the 82nd and 1 as a "observer " with the 17th airborne during operation varsity. Growing up I used to love to hear him talk about his "adventures' He never spoke of the difficult or horrible tasks that he must of faced, only the the brief lulls where he enjoyed women and drink. Growing up in the late fifties and sixties these men were unquestionable the toughest guys I knew but with great hearts. They never complained ever and loved their families. Rest in Peace Bill
Westmoreland
Leslie Bill Kick, 92, of Westmoreland, passed away at home on Saturday, December 8th, 2012. He was born on March 13th, 1920, in Auburn, NY. He was the son of Myrtle and John Kick. Bill developed a love of the outdoors in his teenage years, as he frequently went hiking in the Adirondack Mountains. He graduated from Port Byron High School in 1937 as the valedictorian of his class. In 1940, he joined the Canadian Army. In 1941, when the United States entered World War II, all Americans who joined the Canadian Army were required to go back to the States. That is when Bill became a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, headquartered in Ft. Bragg, NC. During the next four years, he saw action at Normandy, Holland, Sicily, North Africa and the Battle of the Bulge. When the war ended, he married Veronica Maria Tabaczyk of Auburn, NY. He earned his Bachelors degree from the School of Forestry at Syracuse University in 1949. Soon after graduation, the Korean War began and he found himself back in the 82nd Airborne Division fighting in Korea. Once he completed his tour in Korea, Bill started his career with the United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, where he worked as a Soil Scientist in various locations throughout New York State. A highly respected Soil Scientist in his field, he retired in 1975. Bills long and active retirement included hunting, hiking, canoeing, and working in his wood lots. He became a regular at the Vernon Downs horse track and The Turning Stone Casino where he could be found at the Black Jack tables. He continued working for many years as a consultant Soil Scientist. His first wife, Veronica, died in 1976, and he married Norah Fellows in 1985. Bill remained active in veterans' groups nearly to the end. He is survived by his wife, Norah Kick; a son, John Kick, of Amherst, MA; a daughter, Carol Beaver and her husband, James, of Ocala, FL; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Bill was predeceased by his first wife and his grandson. A memorial service in honor of Bills life will take place in June of 2013 after burial of his ashes at the St. Marys Cemetery in Clinton, NY. Donations may be made in Bills name to Disabled American Veterans (www.dav.org). Arrangements by Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc., Clinton.
Leslie "Bill" Kick
This gentleman was a lifelong friend of my father. He survived all 4 combat jumps, 3 with the 82nd and 1 as a "observer " with the 17th airborne during operation varsity. Growing up I used to love to hear him talk about his "adventures' He never spoke of the difficult or horrible tasks that he must of faced, only the the brief lulls where he enjoyed women and drink. Growing up in the late fifties and sixties these men were unquestionable the toughest guys I knew but with great hearts. They never complained ever and loved their families. Rest in Peace Bill
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