Born May 13, 1934 in Island Grove, Florida to the late Morgan W. and Gladys Hardee Sykes. He was the fourth of nine children. He went to school in Island Grove and Hawthorne, Florida until he joined the Army May 7, 1952 . While stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia he met Mary Marlene Hudmon and they married on September 26, 1954 at Pine Grove Methodist Church. He and Marlene had five children born in different states and overseas while he was serving his country. "Bill" was preceded in death by his wife, Marlene Sykes; daughter, Julia Faust; brothers, Thomas Sykes, and Kirby Sykes. He is survived by his sons, Wayne (Helen) Sykes, Marvin (Christie) Sykes; daughters, LaMerle Willingham (Ken Mann), Theresa Bridges (Mike Bridges) son-in-law and daughter-in-law, Ricky and Melaine Faust; grandchildren, Jamie Faust, Jennifer Faust, Jimmy Faust, Cole (Abby) Faust, Edd (Jena) Willingham, Billy (Ashley) Sykes, Ashley "Puddin" Sykes, Colton (Paula) Sykes, Abby (Alex) Brown; great grandchildren, Tyler Faust, Savannah Faust, Madison Faust, McKenzie Faust, C.J. Faust, Amelia Rose Faust, Wrangler Polland, Emerson Willingham, Sykes Willingham, Billy Wayne Sykes, Justin Sykes, Halayna Sykes, Cam Sykes, Cooper Sykes, and baby Brown on the way; brother, James (Joyce) Sykes; sisters, Cora Sue (Crayton) Price, Marjorie (John) Boles, Francis (Audrey) Colliett, Bernice Woodard, and Glenda (Perry) Miller. Bill was proud of his service to his country. He served in the Korean War as an infantryman where he was wounded by enemy action in 1953. He was shot in the shoulder while engaged in combat in the "Battle on Pork Chop Hill." For this he received a "Purple Heart." After the War he re-enlisted and served in the Military Police corps until he retired. In addition to serving in the Korean War, he served three years in Germany and in the Vietnam War. Bill received 21 medals and awards while in service, which included Bronze Star and Two Purple Hearts. When Bill retired from the Army in May 31, 1972 he and his family moved to Beulah where they had purchased a farm prior to his retirement, thus starting SYKES FARMS. He bought a dump truck and pulpwood truck to help with cleaning his land and started SYKES Land Cleaning. From the pulpwood truck he progressed into log trucks and equipment starting SYKES Logging Company. Both of his sons worked with him and grandsons went to the woods with their "Paw Paw" when they could climb up in the truck until they were old enough to "go to work." When the wood business dropped off, Bill retired for the second time. Bill attended both Beulah Methodist and Beulah Baptist Church while living here. He was proud of his family, his country, his farm, and his cows. He was a hard worker and did not have much care for slackers. He provided for his family and taught his sons and grandsons to do the same. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 4, 2018 at Beulah Baptist Church from 12:00 until 1:50 p.m. CST. Funeral service will be held at Beulah Baptist Church Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. CST with Brother Jimmy Dykes officiating. Interment will follow at Beulah Community Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 4, 2018 at Beulah Baptist Church from 12:00 until 1:50 p.m. CST.