Emerson W. (Bill) Wickman, 48, of 59 Osceola Ave., Worcester was pronounced dead on arrival Thursday night at Hahnemann Hospital after being stricken ill at home.
He served as state umpire-in-chief of the Massachusetts Amateur Softball Association, which covers the state, except for Metropolitan Boston. He ran umpiring clinics and was state rules interpreter.
  He was born in Bondsville, son of Carl E. and Mildred M. (Silloway) Wickman Sr. and lived many years in Worcester.  He was an Army Veteran of the Korean War.
     He leaves his wife Terry A. Wickman, three brothers, Kenneth V. Wickman of Worcester, Carl E. Wickman Jr., and Gordon E. Wickman both of Oxford, and many nieces and nephews.
  The family requests flowers be omitted and suggests contributions in his memory be made to Aletheia Grotto Cerebral Palsy Clinic, Post Office Box 722, Worcester.
     Members of Athelstan Lodge will meet at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the funeral home to conduct their service for Bill.