Richard "Dick" Wilcox, 86, of Grand Island, died at November 12, 2015 at Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha.

Richard was born June 4, 1929 in Wayne, KS to Paul W. and Constance (Lilly) Wilcox. He attended and graduated from Concordia High School in Concordia Ks.

After high school Richard went to work with his father, building bridges for Reece construction. Richard soon followed in the footsteps of his three brothers, World War 2 Veterans, and Richard enlisted into the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. After basic training he went to tech school at Keesler AFB. Richard showed exceptional aptitude and ability as a radio operator and upon graduation was assigned to duty as an instructor, where he taught electronic principals, and radio operation. While stationed at Keesler AFB, Richard became involved with the base M.A.R.S.(Military Auxiliary Radio System) Which started his lifelong love of amateur (HAM) radio. Richard also obtained his private pilots license. After his discharge, Richard returned to Reece Construction, Managing bridge construction crews in Kansas and Oklahoma. While in Oklahoma, Richard met Sylvia Brown.


On January 23, 1973, he was united in marriage to Sylvia Brown in Lincoln, KS. And soon after was charged with opening Crane Rental inc. (a division of Reece Construction) in Grand Island Ne. Shortly upon arriving in Grand Island Richard, an avid outdoors-man, became involved with the local chapter of the Nebraska Muzzle loading Rifle Association of Nebraska. Richard enjoyed the shoots, the Buckskins, the Tee Pees, but more over the friends that he made within the club. Richard and Sylvia retired in 1990 to Oklahoma, where they spent their time fishing, camping, and entertaining. They soon felt the itch to "hit the road" and spent the better part of the next decade in an RV roaming the country.
They resettled in Grand island. Richard soon became a volunteer at the V.A. driving the bus to AA and NA meetings for the Veterans in treatment at the facility.


Richard is survived by son, Tony (Lori) Washington of Grand Island; daughter, Debra Washington-Morgan of Grand Island; daughter, Robin (Doug) Pollak of Seward, NE; daughter, Angela Washington of Grand Island; son; Brian (Lisa) Wilcox of Fremont, NE; daughter, Janet May of Harrington, KS; daughter-in-law, Gerri Washington of Grand Island; 18 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; sister; Connie (Willis) Skinner of Leawood, KS; brother; Lyle (Jean) Wilcox of McCook, NE.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Sylvia; son, James "Danny" Washington; brothers, Paul R. Wilcox and Raymond Wilcox; sister, Mary Lou Quain.

The family cordially invites you to celebrate this life well lived.

A memorial service will be 11:00 AM Saturday, November 21, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Jack Gillam officiating. Visitation with the family present will be Friday 5-7:30 pm at Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home. There will be no viewing as Richard was cremated. Burial will be at a later date at Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, OK. Memorials can be given to the family for later designation.