Willie E. Hicks, Sr. Bio
Willie Hicks is a man who has plenty a passion for automobiles. His entire life has revolved around cars and trucks regardless of the year, make, or model. As a young boy growing up in South Carolina, his early experience with vehicles came through both driving and fixing tractors and other mobile equipment.
In the 1960’s, Sr. migrated from South Carolina with his love for cars to upstate New York. As a young man in his twenties, he raced and fixed fast cars to earn a living. Under the tutelage of car dealership owners, he diligently learned every phase of auto body repair. He was also able to enhance his knowledge and devote the same amount of time to auto repair and the mechanical aspects of a vehicle.
Having worked diligently for 10-12 years in Syracuse, NY and having absorbed much experience, Mr. Hicks, Sr. moved to Boston, MA. His desire and pursuit to run his own auto body facility was relentless. Upon his arrival to the Commonwealth, he worked at a couple of well-known car dealerships to enhance his skills and to feed his family.
In the 1960’s, he partnered with a lifelong friend to open a small auto body-auto repair shop in Roxbury, MA. He eventually partnered with a lifelong friend to open a small auto body-auto repair shop in Roxbury, MA. In time, after building a good reputation, he bought out his partner and began to search for a larger location for expansion of the business.
His early experience with owning and operating an auto body shop proved to be invaluable. After approximately 4 years at this location, Mr. Hicks decided to go into business on his own.
In April of 1970, Mr. Hicks bought the building and the land on what now has become his claim to fame…Hicks Auto Body Inc., It is a 13,500-ft. facility nestled on the corner of Talbot Ave. and Blue Hill Ave., one of the busiest and most identifiable locations in the City of Boston.
For the past 38 years, Mr. Hicks, Sr. has built a reputation in this industry the old fashioned way… he earned it. He decided a long time ago even before a car was fixed that every customer should be treated with respect and honesty. He also understood and believed that the community, wherever he worked, would be a vital part of his success.
The fire and passion for repairing damaged vehicles are in Mr. Hicks’ genes. Even now at the young age of 71, he opens Hicks Auto Body's doors every morning at 6am, anxiously awaiting an opportunity to please another customer.
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