William Thomas Sykes, a loving and funny-hearted son, friend, brother, dad and family historian, passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2014, in Petersburg, Va.

Known affectionately as "Sky Rocket" or "WT," he was born on Feb. 13, 1945, in Waverly, Va. He was the oldest son of Jeff Sykes and Cassie Sykes. William is preceded in heaven by both of his parents. He accepted the Lord at the age of 13 and belonged to Liberty Baptist Church. William attended Sussex County Training School, now Sussex Central High School, where he excelled and was a quick learner. Upon early manhood, William married and later divorced Susie Taylor Sykes. William had a successful blue-collar career for 30-plus years. He was a dedicated worker for Newport News Shipyard, Gray Lumber Co. and Higgins Mill/Waverly Hardwoods, where he retired in 2001. Well known and liked throughout the community, William was quick-witted, sharp-tongued and had quite a colorful vocabulary. William loved old classic cars and fishing in his early years. At any time, he could also be found watching wrestling, western movies and happily consuming his favorite homemade foods, such as fried fish and salmon cakes, until his heart was content.

William leaves to cherish his memory one daughter, Jackie Garrett (George Garrett) Prince George, Va.; two grandchildren, Clarence Thornton (Kim) and Jacquelin Jackson, Washington, D.C.; his six siblings, Ann S. Dixon, Washington, D.C., Burden Sykes (Anita), Dinwiddie, Va., John Sykes, Waverly, Va., Alonzo Sykes Sr., Gaithersburg, Md., Charles Sykes (Marie) Columbus, Ga., and Laura S. Chisholm (Alfonzye), Ft. Washington, Md. He leaves four nephews, Anthony Sykes, Alonzo Sykes, Jeffrey Sykes and John Sykes Jr.; nine nieces, Antoinette Sykes, India Sykes, Tina Wooden-Tyler, Tamika Sykes, Kimberly Matthews, Monica Sykes Mitchell, Alaykia Sykes, Deborah Sykes, Wendy Sykes; three favorite tight-knit cousins, John L. Sykes, Richmond, Va., and Carroll P. Sykes, Bowie, Md., Pauline Burnett, Chester, Va.; and an abundance of great-nieces and nephews, and cherished family, best friends, Copie Drew, Waverly, Va., Robert "Billy Buck" Johnson Jr., Waverly, Va., Elmore Burgess, Waverly, Va., and, other close friends, work buddies.

Funeral service for Mr. Sykes will be noon Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at Liberty Baptist Church, Waverly, Va; the Rev. Karl Marshall, pastor. Interment will follow at First Baptist Church Cemetery, Waverly, Va.