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William Leslie (W.L.) Sykes
1943 – 2023
William Leslie (W.L.) Sykes, Sr., 80, of Raleigh, MS, died Sunday, June 18, 2023, with his family at his side. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 22 at Union Baptist Church in Raleigh, MS. Burial will be in Union Baptist Church Cemetery. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Raleigh is overseeing arrangements.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, 219 Sylvarena Avenue, Raleigh, Mississippi 39153.
Preceded in death by: Parents, William and Lela Mae Harris Sykes; Brothers, Sidney, Jerry and Tommy Joe Sykes; Sister, Maurice Sykes Milner; Brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Benton and Betty Blakeney; Daughter-in-law, Michelle Acy Sykes; and Son, Donald Sykes.
Survivors include: Wife, Evelyn Blakeney Sykes of Raleigh; Son, William (Laurie) Sykes of Brandon; Daughter-in-law, Leigh Sykes of Biloxi; Brothers, Bobby (Nancy) Sykes of Louin, Richard (Charlotte) Sykes of Stringer, Billy Sykes of Laurel, Jeffrey (Sherry) Sykes of Raleigh; Sister, Sheila Sykes McDaniel of Raleigh.
Granddaughters: Haley (Ben) Brock of Brandon, Hannah (Nick) Fortenberry of Brandon, Kaitlyn, Addison and Jessie Claire Sykes of Biloxi; and Great-grandson: Maverick Brock, of Brandon.
Pallbearers: Ed Anderson, Ben Brock, Sammy Bryant, Nick Fortenberry, Tom Kennedy, Dallas Little, Craig Rogers, Robbie Sykes.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the “Don Sykes Have a Heart Fund” 2359 Grants Ferry Drive, Biloxi, MS 39531.
WL Sykes was born the oldest of ten children to William and Lela Mae Sykes in Louin, Mississippi.
After graduating from Calhoun High School, W.L. proudly served in the U.S. Army National Guard for 23 years, retiring as Warrant Officer II. He loved his country and was honored to be in the military, which he strongly believed every young man should do.
After moving to Raleigh, W.L. worked in car sales before switching to sales of auto parts. While working and later owning the NAPA auto part store in Mize, W.L. made lasting friendships with his customers. His sons joined W.L. in the business when he purchased the Raleigh NAPA store. Following “retirement” in 2007, he continued to work part-time at the Mize parts house until June, 2020.
Although he was known for being a hard worker his entire life, W.L. took great pleasure in his involvement with the Smith County Livestock Association. He supported participants in cattle shows long after his sons were too old to compete. And as an avid fan of the Ole Miss Rebels, W.L. spent many afternoons enjoying Rebel football and most all college sports. He could always tell you which game was coming up next and what the score of the last one was.
W. L. would gladly do without so others didn’t have to. He was generous like the God who made him, and in this way, he was merely reflecting on the world the Love of God. He was the father and coach who would pick up players who had no way of getting to practice and even buy cleats for a kid so he could be part of the little league team with his own sons.
W.L. was a strong man…Strong hands. Strong work ethic. And a strong faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ.
Nothing gave him greater joy than time with his family. A blind date with a sweet girl from Taylorsville on September 7, 1963 led to a 59-year marriage to the love of his life, Evelyn. He dearly loved his wife and their boys, William (Dub) and Don, who made him “Papaw” to five precious granddaughters and one great-grandson.
One of his favorite songs was Don Williams’ “Lord, I Hope this Day is Good” W.L. passed on Father’s Day with his son, William at his side before reuniting with his late son, Don, and his heavenly Father. We can rest assured that Sunday truly was a good day for W.L.
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