Obituary for William Charles Fike
William Charles Fike, affectionately known as, “Pops” or Papa, 88, of Roanoke, Va., but formerly of Syracuse, NY, passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family and friends, on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at 12:55 in the afternoon. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Lois Carol Cooley Fike, who went to be with the Lord on June 24, 2007.
Born December 10, 1934, in Dansville, NY, as the youngest of eight children born to Ida E. Esserive and placed in the care of Gerry Children’s Home in Gerry, NY on May 22, 1935; he was lovingly adopted by the late George Earl and Emma Gertrude Eckenroad Fike.
William retired from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision in 1998. In his retirement years, he pastored Evangelical Wesleyan Church in New Castle, Pa., and worked as a car salesman for Bill Fray Chevrolet, also in New Castle, Pa.
William loved people and maintained contact with many friends throughout the years. He had many sayings that our family will continue to cherish and repeat:
“You can take that to the bank!”
“I don’t blow smoke!”
“Busy as a one-armed man in a hailstorm.”
And many more…
Though experiencing pain in the last couple of months of his life, William remained so very thankful and complimentary, constantly repeating, “You are so wonderful,” and “I love you 10,000 times more than you will ever know,” as well as, “I have the most wonderful family!” Always a pillar of faith, he would say, “Please tell everyone I love them and if I don’t see them again on this side, I want to see them in Heaven.”
William moved to Roanoke, Va. in June of 2022 to be near family. He married Deborah Louise Wadleigh Fike, on his birthday, December 10, 2022, whom he met at Brighton Towers in Syracuse, NY. He was her “Sugar Plum” and she remained faithful in caring for him up until he passed.
William leaves behind his sons, William David (Roberta) Fike and Jonathan Paul (Debbie) Fike; daughters, Judith Elaine Smith and Joanna Marie Fike (Gary). He was greatly loved and will be so very missed by his grandkids and great-grandkids.
The family will welcome friends on Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Upper Parlor of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem. Worship and celebration of life will immediately follow from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Living Well Church of the Nazarene, 4335 W. Main St., Salem, and officiated by, Shannon Smith.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.
Born December 10, 1934, in Dansville, NY, as the youngest of eight children born to Ida E. Esserive and placed in the care of Gerry Children’s Home in Gerry, NY on May 22, 1935; he was lovingly adopted by the late George Earl and Emma Gertrude Eckenroad Fike.
William retired from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision in 1998. In his retirement years, he pastored Evangelical Wesleyan Church in New Castle, Pa., and worked as a car salesman for Bill Fray Chevrolet, also in New Castle, Pa.
William loved people and maintained contact with many friends throughout the years. He had many sayings that our family will continue to cherish and repeat:
“You can take that to the bank!”
“I don’t blow smoke!”
“Busy as a one-armed man in a hailstorm.”
And many more…
Though experiencing pain in the last couple of months of his life, William remained so very thankful and complimentary, constantly repeating, “You are so wonderful,” and “I love you 10,000 times more than you will ever know,” as well as, “I have the most wonderful family!” Always a pillar of faith, he would say, “Please tell everyone I love them and if I don’t see them again on this side, I want to see them in Heaven.”
William moved to Roanoke, Va. in June of 2022 to be near family. He married Deborah Louise Wadleigh Fike, on his birthday, December 10, 2022, whom he met at Brighton Towers in Syracuse, NY. He was her “Sugar Plum” and she remained faithful in caring for him up until he passed.
William leaves behind his sons, William David (Roberta) Fike and Jonathan Paul (Debbie) Fike; daughters, Judith Elaine Smith and Joanna Marie Fike (Gary). He was greatly loved and will be so very missed by his grandkids and great-grandkids.
The family will welcome friends on Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Upper Parlor of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem. Worship and celebration of life will immediately follow from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Living Well Church of the Nazarene, 4335 W. Main St., Salem, and officiated by, Shannon Smith.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.