11/18/2025
William "Bill" Hicks
William “Bill” Andrew Hicks passed away at home in Greenville, Texas, on November 15, 2025, at the age of 71. Born in Orange County, California, on May 13, 1954, Bill lived a life marked by extraordinary adventures, profound loves, remarkable achievements, and deep challenges. His story was never simple—and never dull.
As a boy, Bill roamed the orange groves of Orange County, guided and inspired by inventive relatives who encouraged his curiosity and creativity. He became an Eagle Scout, a champion wrestler, and a young man of faith whose spiritual journey would lead him across the world.
In his early adulthood, he was swept into an extremist sect that carried him to Israel. There, Bill discovered the darker truths behind the group’s leadership and bravely took action to help bring the cult down. His courage helped many others escape similar groups, and during his years in Israel he forged lifelong friendships and developed skills that shaped the rest of his life.
Upon returning to the United States, Bill founded Computer Accessories Corporation, creating furniture for the booming personal computer revolution of the 1980s. Alongside his brother, he crafted beautiful, high-end carpentry for luxury homes, restaurants, and businesses. Bill became a vibrant force in the Dallas arts community, supporting countless artists and creative projects.
His path eventually led him to Elaine Hanson, whom he met in 1994. They fell in love quickly, deeply, and permanently. Elaine became the great love of his life, and the two remained inseparable until her passing in 2024. Their partnership extended into their work: both Bill and Elaine joined Hanson Robotics, founded by Elaine’s son, David Hanson. Bill played a key role in the creation of many groundbreaking robots, including the Philip K. Dick android featured in Wired Nextfest and The New York Times, Jules for the University of Bristol, the walking Albert HUBO robot for KAIST, Frankie for the Exploratorium, the Zeno robot for the Museum of Science and Industry, Ibn Sina for UAEU, Charles Babbage for Cambridge University, and the renowned Sophia robot. His contributions ranged from artistic elements to technical innovations—skin casting, materials development, mold making, mechanisms design, and more. For a time, Hanson Robotics largely operated out of the duplex he and Elaine shared.
Bill and Elaine also pursued their own ventures, including Lunar Studios, where they designed concrete sculptures and furniture and welded full-scale metal palm trees that now adorn businesses across North Texas. When Elaine became ill with cancer, followed by COPD, Bill devoted himself completely to caring for her, even as his own health declined. After her passing, he moved in with his close friend Les Burns while facing depression and memory struggles.
Through it all, Bill remained a man of enormous heart, fierce love, and immense complexity. Bill loved every living creature—especially dogs, which were a constant comfort and joy in his life. He loved art, music, science, scuba diving, and late-night conversations filled with wild ideas and sharp humor.
He was a generous stepfather and step-grandfather, a loyal friend, a talented craftsman, and a dreamer with an inventive spirit. He could be troubled and stormy, but he carried deep goodness within him and used his gifts to help others whenever he could.
More than anything in his life; Bill cared for Elaine until the end, when there was nothing left but he and her and the wind. Thank God they are together once again, forever. Bill lived fully, loved fiercely, and left an impact on everyone fortunate enough to know him. He will be profoundly missed by family, friends, and all whose lives he touched.
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