Brother Wayne Bickley

Funeral services for Richard “Brother Wayne” Bickley, 64, of Lufkin will be held Friday, May 17, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Livingston with Pastor Steve Cowart, Pastor Keith Bickley, Pastor Kevan Wood, and Pastor Lynn Sasser officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

Bro. Wayne was born April 28, 1960 in Huntsville, Texas to Frankie Eloise (Williams) and the late James Richard Bickley, and passed away Monday, May 13, 2024, under the excellent care of Hospice in the Pines.

Bro. Wayne spent the last 30 years of his life in the ministry. He began as the Youth/Associate Pastor of O’Quinn Baptist Church in Pollok, then as head Pastor of Smyrna Baptist Church in Huxley, Opelika Baptist Church in Brownsboro, and has faithfully served the last 14 years at Soda Baptist Church in Livingston. Even as a teenager Bro. Wayne was involved in the ministry in some capacity. He had always known his calling was to deliver God’s Word to as many people as he could reach. He went on mission trips to Romania, Indonesia multiple times, and Zambia, Africa - again following his heart to reach out to people and bring God into their lives. Those who knew him during his Youth Pastor years at O’Quinn can never think of those days without smiling, just thinking about the outrageous activities he would think up for the kids, or his countless youth trips that always turned into either adventures or extra sightseeing due to his frequently getting lost. He had a way with children and teenagers and his goal in all those fun times was to bring as many children as he could to know the Lord.

Prior to serving in the ministry full time, Bro. Wayne had served six years in the U.S. Navy on ballistic missile submarines, worked at the Lufkin Paper Mill, and was a Paramedic and Firefighter for the City of Lufkin for 10 years. In his free time he loved to go noodling for catfish and spend time fishing with his grandchildren on Cooper Lake.

Bro. Wayne was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. If you were fortunate enough to have known Wayne Bickley, you already know how much richer your life is because of it. He gave himself selflessly - to family, friends and strangers, and was forever faithful to his Lord. There will be a great void left in our hearts without him in our lives, but oh what an immeasurable mark he has made here on this earth.

Survivors include his loving wife of 45 years, Suzie (Rye) Bickley of Lufkin; sons and daughters-in-law, Adam and Dana Bickley of Lufkin, and Tony and Sonya Bickley of Spring; daughter, Jessica Aline Bickley of Livingston; grandchildren, Cooper, Eian, Brynn, Caiden, Khye, Calise, and Beau Bickley, and January Burnett; mother, Frankie Bickley; brothers and sister-in-law, Mike “World Peace” Bickley of Jasper, and Bro. Keith and Karen Bickley of Pollok; sister, Sherice Burton of Pollok; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and countless friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Richard Bickley; and granddaughter, Lilly Rose Bickley.

Pallbearers are Jeff Ashen, John Young, Kevin Harbuck, Edgar Grace, Virgil Cain, and Marc DeShazo.

Honorary pallbearers are Curtis Rye, Terry Allen, and the Men of Soda Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to an organization that was dear to Bro. Wayne’s heart, the Center of Hope Polk County Mission Center, 600 S. Washington Avenue, Livingston, Texas 77351.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Friday afternoon prior to the services.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.