JAMES HENRY WICKER
MURRELLS INLET, SC - James Henry Wicker, 81, went to Heaven to join loved ones on Monday, March 21, 2022 at his home in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. He was born in Greenup, Kentucky on March 1, 1941, the son of James A. Wicker and Sarah Lillian Horton-Wicker. He was a member of the American Legion as well as the Americans of Foreign Wars. He served in the U.S. Navy from November 1958 until January 1980 when he retired as a Mess Management Specialist First Class. During his military career, he received five good conduct medals, a National Defense medal, an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), a Vietnam Service Medal, a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon, a Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal, and a Navy Unit Commendation Medal. His service took him around the entire globe aboard seven ships and assigned to multiple stations. The experiences are too extensive to recount here, but we will forever cherish the stories he modestly and casually shared. It gave us a clear vision of his strength, courage and character.
He was a Correction Officer with the Southern Ohio Correction Facility in Lucasville, Ohio from June 1982 until October 2005. He was an officer there during the 1993 Easter Sunday prison riot.
James married his childhood sweetheart and love of his life, Linda Delores Coyle, on March 5, 1960. She preceded him in death on February 1, 2010. Also preceding him was his cherished son, Thomas James Wicker, his parents, James A. and Sarah Lillian Horton-Wicker, sister Phyllis Ann Wicker, sister Nancy Harkless, brother-in-law, Charles Harkless, sister Dana Avanell Webster-Conley, and his companion whom he loved dearly, Brenda Bell-Webster. Surviving him are his children Jeffrey Dean (Terry) Wicker, Lisa Ann (John) Johansen; Grandchildren Linda Nicole (Tony) Johnson, Sean Jonathan (Elizabeth) Johansen, John Joseph Johansen, Carina Beth Charlotte Wicker; Great-Grandchildren Josephine Sophia Francesca Johansen, Asher Dominick Johansen, Laila Ann Johansen and Atticus Thomas Johnson. He is also survived by brothers: Ralph “Eddie” (Mary) Wicker, Gary (Connie) Wicker, Steven “Fred” (Kim) Wicker, Danny Wicker, Mart (Becky) Wicker; sisters: Omedia “Sis” (Jim) Spriegel, Myrtle (Jerry) Barber, Brenda (Roy) Lore and Beulah “Boots” Gee. He leaves many nieces and nephews.
James liked bluegrass music and old westerns. His last ten years spent living in South Carolina gave him much time with his children and grandchildren where there was an abundance of smiles and laughter. He regularly traveled the road in his van camping at various state parks and making constant trips back to his roots in Ohio or to visit with his son in Virginia. He loved a country campfire in “the holler” where he could reminisce with his siblings late into the night. We are all richer having had the honor of knowing this incredible person. He was a good man who will forever remain with us in our hearts.
Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at noon at Harrison-Pyles Funeral Home in Wheelersburg, Ohio with Pastor Merit Smith officiating. Visitation will be Monday, April 11th from 6:00 - 8:30 pm and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Interment will follow at Vernon Cemetery in Wheelersburg. Fond memories of James and expressions of condolences may be shared at www.harrison-pyles.com.
