Obituary: Billy Gene Sykes

Billy Gene Sykes, age 87, of Lemont, died Dec. 25, 2019. He was born Jan. 20, 1932 to Curtis Eli and Henry Dell Sykes in Pyland, Mississippi.

A 1949 graduate of Houston High School in Houston, Mississippi, Bill attended Holmes Junior College in Goodman, Mississippi, and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at Mississippi State University, Starksville, Mississippi in 1954.

Bill was a U.S. Navy veteran, and he served during the Korean conflict where he proudly served as Engineering Officer on the minesweeper, the USS Rival.

Bill was a career railroad man who viewed life through an engineer’s lens. He worked for the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad for 36 years, culminating in the position of Chief Engineer – Planning & Structures in 1989. Bill then retired after five more years as chief engineer of the Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway Corporation. When he was not working, you could find Bill on the golf course or, at the very least, wishing he were there.

Bill served on many professional boards and associations including the American Railway Engineering Association, Capital City Railroad Relocation Authority Board (Governor Appointee), and Road Masters & Maintenance of Way Association. He was a Chapter Mason, and an active member and Lay Servant of the United Methodist Church.

Bill was the loving husband to his college sweetheart, and wife of 67 years, Mary Jane, nee Hipp, Sykes; beloved father of Cheryl Jean (Rick) Finck, Jana Leigh (Bill) Stelter, and William Eric (Shari) Sykes; cherished grandfather of Curtis (Carolyn) Stelter, Adeline Sykes, Scott (late wife Barb) Stelter, Cindy (Mike) Colin, and Todd (Betsy) Stelter; proud great-grandfather of Will and Anna Stelter, and Ailia, Emily, and Ivy Colin; brother of Bobby Joe Sykes; and uncle of Dorynda Kolden and Brian Sykes.

Visitation will be Dec. 28 from 9 a.m. until time of memorial services at 11 a.m. at Lemont United Methodist Church, 25 W. Custer St., Lemont. Private interment will take place at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in his name to Alzheimer’s Association or Lemont United Methodist Church.