Wayne Edward Hicks, 80, of Edgewood Avenue, Welch, died Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Mercer Nursing and Rehab in Bluefield. Born, May 4, 1942, in Vivian, WV, he was the son of the late Ganes Hicks and Hassie Lewis Hicks. Wayne grew up in Vivian, West Virginia and attended school in McDowell County where he graduated from Welch High School in 1960. He went on to attend Concord College where he earned a varsity letter all four years in both football and track & field. In 1964, Wayne graduated with a B.S. in History and Physical Education. He was named to the All-Time All-Conference WVIAC Team on both offense and defense in 1974 and was inducted into the Concord Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2007. He spent 33 years in the McDowell County School System where he served as a teacher and Dean of Students. While teaching, he owned and operated Wayne's Tree Farm where he supplied numerous local residents with Christmas trees and wreaths during the holiday season. Wayne was an integral part of the Welch community, serving in the Mighty Welch Lions Club for over 58 years where he served one term as president and in many other positions throughout the years. Wayne was instrumental in founding the McDowell County Sports Hall of Fame and was inducted in 2012. In the rest of his free time, Wayne enjoyed watching NASCAR, hunting, fishing, playing racquetball, playing golf as a member of the Tug River Country Club, as well as keeping up with his two grandson's endeavors. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Wayne E. Hicks, II and one sister, Cheryl Hicks. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 58 years, Elizabeth Jane Cornett Hicks; One daughter-in-law, Tisha Jones Hicks; One sister, Sue Hicks; Two grandchildren, "his favorite grandson Alexander Wayne Hicks and his other favorite grandson Zachary Edward Hicks". The family has honored Wayne's request to be cremated. Memorial Services to celebrate the life of Wayne Hicks will be held at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, April 8, 2023, in the Chapel of Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton with Reverend William Spencer officiating. A time of sharing with the family will be held from 1:00 P.M. until the service hour at the funeral home. Following his service, a reception will be held at the Chuck Mathena Center, 2 Stafford Common, Princeton, for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that you consider a donation to the McDowell County Sports Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 197, Welch, WV 24801 or the McDowell Public Library, 90 Howard Street, Welch, WV 24801. Online condolences may be shared with the family via www.memorialfd.com .  The Hicks family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Funeral Directory and Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.