Dr. William "Jerry" G. Hicks DVM
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William G. "Jerry" Hicks, DVM, age 90, of Janesville, died Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at the Agrace Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Janesville.
Explorer, traveler, animal lover, adventure-seeker, businessman, entrepreneur. Jerry was all these and more. Through his creativity and generosity of spirit, he enhanced the lives of many people, who will remember him fondly.
Jerry was born on Oct. 23, 1931, in Chicago, IL, the son of William S. & Ruth G. (Walzer) Hicks. When he was 10, they moved to the family farm at Hicks' Corner, Darlington, Wisconsin. Jerry attended Kingsley School (a one-room rural school) and then Darlington High School. He graduated in 1949. While in high school, Jerry met his future wife, Justine Peterson. They married on July 28, 1951, and had one son, Robert Joseph (Joe) Hicks.
The course of Jerry's life was forever changed when he developed an allergy to hay and had to give up farming. He decided to become a veterinarian. He attended the University of Wisconsin for two years and then was accepted into the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. He graduated with his degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1960.
After practicing for several veterinarians, he bought the Edgerton Veterinary practice in 1962. In 1973, he moved his family to Janesville, where he opened the Janesville Veterinary Clinic on Milwaukee Street. He built up his business by never turning anyone away with a "bring them right in" attitude; he was available for emergency services 24 hours a day. In 1987, he purchased a former gas station on Mineral Point Avenue, and that became Janesville Veterinary Clinic-West. Both clinics were certified by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).
While on vacation in the Cayman Islands, Jerry realized there was no veterinarian in the area. Inspiration struck?an idea that would combine his love of travel and his passion for animals. He assembled a group of veterinarians and formed the Cayman Islands Veterinary practice, which became Cayvet. The group purchased a house and took turns living there and staffing the clinic. The practice was eventually sold, but the group's members continue to enjoy their time on the island. Jerry also formed a veterinary practice on Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands, which remains operating today.
After nearly 50 years of marriage, Jerry lost Justine to illness on June 12, 2001. He remained dedicated to her memory, but he was also fortunate to find a second life partner. He married Judy K. Czerwonka on December 29, 2007. They enjoyed traveling and took many cruises in addition to spending time at their much-loved Grand Cayman house every year.
Jerry was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association), and the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association. He was a friend of Bill W. for 48 years. He had an amazing life using the gifts God gave him to care for animals and people. He enjoyed exploring the world, obtaining both his scuba and pilot licenses.
Jerry is survived by his wife Judy; son Joe (Connie) of Edgerton; grandsons Matthew Hicks of Grand Marsh and Michael Hicks of Edgerton; great-grandsons Robert Hicks of Edgerton and Joey Hicks of Grand Marsh; stepchildren: Michael (Kelly) Czerwonka of Milton and Matthew (Tami) Czerwonka, Amy Cottone all of Janesville, Ted Blaser of Beloit, and Corinne Blaser of Sparta; step-grandchildren: Brittany (Mitch Fanning) Capelle, Tiffany (Coy) Brockmann, Alex Cottone, and Libby Czerwonka; and step great grandsons, Case and Mack Brockman.
He was predeceased by his parents, sister Mary Grace Waltz, and wife Justine.
Jerry's passion was taking care of animals, which he did for more than 50 years. He practiced on both large and small animals over the course of his career, and he truly believed that:
All things bright and beautiful
All creatures great and small
All things wise and wonderful
The Lord God made them all
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, at ST. JOHN VIANNEY CATHOLIC CHURCH, Janesville. Very Rev. Paul Ugo Arinze will preside and burial will be in Holy Rosary Cemetery, Darlington. Visitation will take place on Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the APFEL WOLFE FUNERAL HOME, 21 S. Austin Rd. Janesville. Memorials in Jerry's name can be made to either Agrace Hospice Care or the Southern Wisconsin Humane Society. For on-line condolences: www.apfelwolfe.com