William McMikle

William "W.J." McMikle, 82, of Sikeston, Mo., died at 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 5, 2006, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Feb. 1, 1924, in New Madrid County, son of Joseph Bernie and Sally Katherine Black McMikle. He and Charlotte McCain were married Aug. 31, 1953.

McMikle enlisted with the U.S. Navy and served in active duty during World War II, and was a retired farmer and co-owner of McMikle Real Estate Inc.

He held memberships in New Madrid Masonic Lodge No. 429 AF & AM, New Madrid OES Chapter No. 293, the Sikeston American Legion Post No. 114, and was a former member of the Sikeston Board of Realtors.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Lewis Jon McMikle, of Sikeston, and Stan McMikle, of Albany, Ga.; three daughters, Bonnie Hagler and Christy Priday, both of Sikeston, and Willena Dugas, of Manderville, La.; a brother, Elgin McMikle, of Charleston, Mo.; Two sisters, Margariete Shibley, of Germantown, Tenn., and Leola Roach, of Bloomington, Ind.; and seven grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and a sister.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston, with Masonic Rites to be held at 7 p.m.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Sikeston's First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Harold Norton will officiate.

Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Missouri Military Honor Guard at the Dogwood Cemetery near East Prairie, Mo., with interment following.