Wilbur Sikes

Wilbur F. Sikes, age 93, of Orlando, departed this life on Tuesday, February 4, 2014. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on April 6, 1920, and raised in Orlando. He attended Orlando High School and was a graduate of the American Institute of Banking at the University of Virginia. Mr. Sikes served during World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was honorably discharged following the war. Mr. Sikes went on to enjoy a long career in banking and finance, starting with Universal CIT, then the First National Bank of Orlando now SunTrust Bank and retiring from Flagship First National Bank of Titusville also now part of SunTrust Bank in 1981. He is preceded in death by his wife, Audrey E. Sikes, as well as his grandson, Christopher Kyle Johnson, his parents, John and Lillian Sikes, and his brother, Jack A. Sikes. He is survived by his three children, Gayle Johnson and Sandy Hampton, of Orlando, and his son, Ronald Sikes, of Winter Garden, as well as his remaining grandchildren, Barrett Michele Johnson, of Orlando, Eric Amanda Hampton, of Longwood, Taylor Katie Sikes, of Longwood, and Kelley Sikes, of Winter Garden, and four great grandchildren, Harper, Jackson, Elise and Jase. Mr. Sikes enjoyed fishing, watching professional wrestling and playing poker. He served on the Board of Directors of the North Brevard YMCA, was a past President of the Titusville Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando and the North Brevard Literary Society. His wisdom, integrity and compassion positively impacted each life he touched. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, February 7, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 8 at 11:00 a.m., both at Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home, 2811 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, FL. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Heart of the City Foundation at the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando or Hospice of the Comforter in Altamonte Springs, FL.