Ionia-Kalamazoo County MI Archives Obituaries.....Sykes, William E. August 13, 2004
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net June 27, 2010, 2:51 pm

The Ionia Sentinel-Standard, Wednesday, August 18, 2004
William E. Sykes, age 84, of Richland, Michigan and Fort Myers, Florida, died 
Friday, August 13, 2004 in Fort Myers of multiple myeloma.  He was born on 
June 9, 1920 in Grand Rapids, the son of Dr. Roland S. and Violet (Weisgerber) 
Sykes of Muir.  Mr. Sykes attended Muir Public Schools and graduated from Muir 
High School, Grand Rapids Junior College and the University of Michigan School 
of law.  

He served in the United States Navy from 1942 until 1946.  He began his law 
career in the Kalamazoo County Prosecuting Attorney’s office and later joined 
the Kalamazoo law firm of Stratton, Wise, Sykes, Early and Starbuck.  In 1957 
he joined the Upjohn International legal department.  During his time with 
Upjohn he was responsible for the formation of Upjohn International divisions 
throughout the world and visited 78 countries on six continents.  He retired 
as group vice president in 1984.

He was a devoted sports enthusiast.  He played golf, shooting his age several 
times both right and left-handed, a major accomplishment in the golf world.  
He also enjoyed playing tennis, skiing and sailing.  He was an ardent fan of 
the University of Michigan athletic teams.

Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Elinor; his three children, Terry 
(William) Bradshaw of Stow, Ohio, Kathleen (Steven) Shimp of Fort Myers, 
Florida, and William R. (Fran) Sykes of Richland, Michigan; six grandchildren 
and one great-granddaughter.  He is also survived by his brother, Dr. Robert 
S. (Barbara) Sykes, Sr. and his sister Sarah Jane (David) Hanson of Ionia and 
six nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place.  A memorial service will be held in the Kalamazoo 
area at a date to be announced.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be 
made to the Hope Hospice of Fort Myers, the American Diabetes Association of 
the Muir Presbyterian Church.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/s/sykes6117nob.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/

File size: 2.5 Kb