William “Bill” Rickman

Published 10:55 am Monday, November 4, 2024

William Warren Rickman, previously of Southern Shores, died at the age of 81 on July 18, 2024 in his home in Seattle, Washington with his children by his side. Bill led a passionate life, fervently loving his family and humbly serving the communities in which he lived. As a lifelong bookseller, he enriched peoples’ lives one book at a time. His infectious enthusiasm, curiosity, and generous spirit will be missed.

Bill was born on November 6, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois to the Reverend Victor and Florence Rickman. He attended St. Philip Lutheran School and Luther North High School in Chicago, and studied at Tulane University in New Orleans and Concordia College in Milwaukee. Bill found his professional calling as a bookseller and met the love of his life, Ursula Vogeler, at Chicago’s Kroch’s & Brentano’s Bookstore. Working his way from stock boy to president of the independent bookstore chain between 1963-1995, Bill was inspired by the sense of purpose, talent and comradery he experienced in the book industry. Meanwhile, Bill and Ursula moved to Evanston, Illinois and raised four children. In 1996, Bill and Ursula moved to the Outer Banks of North Carolina to start another life chapter as owners of the Island Bookstores. “Bookstore Bill,” as he was affectionately called, continued to enhance the lives of generations of readers and mentor young people as they embarked on their educations and careers.

Bill was a community leader and ardent supporter. As a boy, he learned the importance of dedicated work for others as a neighborhood paperboy. He later served many organizations, including Trinity Lutheran Church, Evanston Township High School, Ballet Chicago, the American Booksellers Association, plus business and school communities of the Outer Banks. He adopted rescued Siberian Huskies and was a life-long defender of animals.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Ursula. He is survived by his brother Bob (Susie) and sister-in-law Nancy (Michel); his children: Stefan (Natalie), Michael, Erika (Jason), and Gretchen (Rob); and his grandchildren: Markus (Helen), Tobias (Maria), Lars (Halle), Brita, Hans-Karl, Leif, and Gustav.

A Service of Thanksgiving for Bill’s life will be held at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Southern Shores, NC at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 9th. Memorials welcome to World Wildlife Organization (worldwildlife.org), Corolla Wild Horse Fund (corollawildhorses.com), and Evergreen Hospice Care (evergreenhealth.com).

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