THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 23, 1996 TAG: 9601230200
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
William Henry Sykes Jr., 88, a native of Smithfield, long-time civic leader and former mayor, died Jan. 21, 1996.
He was educated in the Smithfield public schools, and was awarded an engineering degree from Virginia Tech in 1929. He was a ``Flying Cadet'' with the Army Air Corps and won his ``wings'' at Kelly Field, Texas, in 1930. After several years of active duty in the Air Corps he returned to Smithfield and joined his father in the lumber-manufacturing business. As soon as the United States became involved in World War II he volunteered for active duty with the Air Force, serving for 3 and a half years as a fighter-pilot instructor and deputy commander of the Matagorda Peninsula Gunnery School. By the end of the war Sykes was a lieutenant colonel and remained in the Air Force Reserve until his retirement.
Civic accomplishments over the years include three years as fire chief; 11 years as the Smithfield representative on the Isle of Wight School Board and eight years as chairman; 12 years as a member of the Smithfield Planning Commission; 19 years as a member of the Smithfield Town Council, serving as vice mayor and mayor. Through the years Sykes had been a vestryman of Christ Episcopal Church; a Boy Scout Master; a member of the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club; a member of the Cedar Point Club and a director of the Merchants and Farmers Bank.
A long-time Rotarian, he was a past president of the Smithfield Rotary Club and in 1949 he was elected and served as rotary district governor for District 277. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and the 1980 recipient of the Ruritan Rotary ``Man of the Year Award.'' Sykes was an ardent yachtsman, a member of the Great Bridge Cruising Club and was quite familiar with the waters between Long Island Sound and Miami. Other hobbies included astronomy, electronics, wood working, and model building. His model of the steamboat ``Smithfield'' is on prominent display at the Isle of Wight Museum.
He is survived by his wife, Edwina Coulbourn Sykes; two daughters, Mrs. Edwina S. Koontz of Richmond, and Mrs. Emily S. McDermott of Bethlehem, Pa. Other survivors include a grandson; two granddaughters; and a great-granddaughter.
A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Ivy Hill Cemetery, Smithfield, with the Rev. James H. Newsom Jr. officiating. The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Colonial Funeral Home, Smithfield, will handle the arrangements.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB