BILL SIKES

SIKESTON -- William F. "Bill" Sikes, 72, of Sikeston died Sunday, Jan. 17, 1999, at his home.

He was born April 30, 1926, in Sikeston, son of William Henry and Mary Elizabeth Ross Sikes. He and Barbara Ann Miller were married Aug. 9, 1952, in Columbia.

Sikes was a 1944 graduate of Sikeston High School, and attended the University of Missouri at Columbia.

He had been involved in a family farming operation, was manager of Sikeston Gin Co. from 1954-65, and from 1965 until retiring in 1986 he was administrator of federal programs for Sikeston Public Schools.

Sikes had served on Scott County Ambulance Board from 1987-98, served on the Heritage House Nutrition Board, and had been a member of City Planning and Zoning Commission Board.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church, sang in the choir 34 years, and had served on the church board. He was a member and past president of Sikeston Jaycees, member of Scottish Rite and Shriner's Moolah Temple in St. Louis, had been a member of Sikeston Masonic Lodge, and former member of SEMO Shrine Motor Patrol.

Sikes served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Mary Borgsmiller of Sikeston, Anne Einspanier of Webster Groves, Betsy Fox of Farmington, Conn.; a sister, Mary Tanner of Swarthmore, Pa.; and nine grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by an infant son.

Friends may call at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel from 5-7 p.m. today.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church, with Dr. Jim Davis and the Rev. Rick Lasley officiating.

Private entombment will be held at a later date at Sikeston City Mausoleum.