Joe Bryan Bickley

He was born to Charles Joe Bickley and Ruby Lillian Eppes Bickley on February 6, 1941 in San Augustine, TX. Joe grew up in his beloved San Augustine where he was well-liked and a talented athlete who achieved all district honors in several sports. Some of his accomplishments included a no-hitter in baseball, which was his favorite sport. He played semi-pro baseball, following in his father’s footsteps, whom also played semi-pro ball in the 1940’s. Joe also played football and after scoring a touchdown would often then kick the field goal. At only 5’10” he played center in basketball and told of how he would pull the hair on taller opposing player’s legs to distract them. Upon graduation from high school, he was approached by the Brooklyn Dodgers to join their farm club, but he followed his father’s advice to go to college instead. He enrolled in Sam Houston University and played one year of baseball before hurting his back, ending his dream of playing pro baseball.

While attending Sam Houston, he met Nancy Jaggers on a blind date in 1961. They dated through college and Joe graduated with Bachelor and Master’s degrees in accounting. Joe and Nancy married in 1964 in Pine Island, TX and Joe began working for A. Burke Haymes, CPA. as an accountant. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1971. In 1984, Joe started his own accounting firm, Bickley & Co., which became Bickley, Prescott & Co. in 1990 when Mark Prescott became a partner. In 1992 he also opened a second office in Huntsville, TX and commuted between the Houston and Huntsville offices for many years. Joe continued working well into his 70’s and finally retired in 2018. However, he continued to do taxes for many family members.

Joe and Nancy’s oldest daughter, Kathy was born in 1967 and their youngest daughter, Karen, was born in 1973. Both girls were a delight to their father, and he enjoyed supporting them in their school activities. Joe and Nancy raised their daughters in Houston, TX and attended Woodhaven Baptist church which merged with First Baptist Houston under Joe’s leadership as deacon chairman. In 1996 they moved to Montgomery, TX and began attending First Baptist Conroe. Joe served as a deacon and on several committees at both churches, and he and Nancy formed life-long, close friendships with their “Woodhaven family” and “First Baptist families”.

He was instrumental in starting a Spina Bifida organization in Houston, served on the Board of Directors at Letourneau University and on the President’s Council at Sam Houston State University. Joe enjoyed playing golf, attending sporting events at Sam Houston State University, reading and sitting quietly amongst his family and friends. He was a loving Papaw to his grandchildren and one of the greatest joys in his life was attending their activities. Joe was a true man of God who began his day reading his Bible and he exemplified Godly qualities in every relationship in his life by showing integrity and honesty in all his interactions. His family and friends will miss him dearly but rejoice in knowing that he is with his true Father.

Joe is survived by his wife of 58 years Nancy Bickley, daughters, Kathryn Bickley and Karen Davis; son-in-law, Mike Davis; grandchildren, Karson, Brayan, Hudson and Melayna Davis, brothers Robert Bickley and fiancée Darlene Bickley and Herbert Bickley, Mildred Andricks, sister-in-law, several nieces and nephews and many other family and friends. He loved you all.

You could see his strength in his quietness. Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church on December 7, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. with service following at 2:30 p.m. with Pastor Dr. Jeff Berger presiding.

Burial will be in San Augustine, Texas at Liberty Hill Cemetery on December 8, 2022 at 2 p.m. Friends are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorials to First Baptist Church, 600 N. Main Street, Conroe, Texas 77301, or a charity of your choice.