William Jasper Dickens, Jr.

     William Jasper “Bill” Dickens, 81, owner and operator of the award-winning “Dickens Inn Bed and Breakfast,” retired as an electrical engineer and founder of “Dickens and Associates Consulting Engineers” of Daytona Beach, died Saturday, November 30, 2002, in South Carolina while observing the Thanksgiving holiday with his family.  “Bill has gone west.” 
     Mr. Dickens, a veteran of the Army Air Corps during World War II, was born in Atlanta, Georgia where he graduated from Boy’s High School.  He was an active member of the school’s chorus.  He attended Virginia Military Institute and rode with the cavalry.  Mr. Dickens graduated from Emory University in 1947 where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering Degree.  He worked for General Electric in Schenectady, New York and in 1950, seeking a warmer climate, he moved to Miami with Florida Power and Light.  Mr. Dickens, a licensed professional engineer, retired from FP&L in 1975 as a District Design Engineer.  In 1975, he founded “Dickens and Associates Consulting Engineers” where he worked until his retirement in 2000.  He served as a past member of the Beautification Board of Daytona Beach for over 15 years and on the Board of Adjustment and Appeals.  He also taught all levels of math at Mary Karl School (predecessor of Daytona Beach Community College).  He was a Past President of the Volusia Chapter Electrical Council of Florida, the Florida Engineering Society, and the Illuminating Engineering Society of Central Florida.
     Mr. Dickens was a man of many interests.  He was an avid flyer and took pleasure in restoring antique airplanes.  Mr. Dickens was a Certified Pilot, a Flight Instructor, held a Certified Flight Instructor Instrument License, as well as a Commercial Rating.  He was a long time member of Ye Ancient and Secret Order of Quiet Birdmen, that exclusive group of flyers to which only the best could belong.  He also enjoyed the outdoors; spent many hours at the beach, fishing, and tending his citrus grove.  He also loved his wife and they enjoyed traveling abroad.
     He will lovingly be remembered by his friends and survivors, which include his wife Ursula of 15 years, two daughters, Kip Best of Daytona Beach and Kim Barnick of DeLand; one stepdaughter, Randee Rogers of Miami, two stepsons, Kyle Rogers of Newnan, GA and Kurt Rogers of Charlotte, NC, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.