William Sayklly

Wells, MI
William (Bill) J. Sayklly, 61, of Wells, died September 24 following a courageous years-long battle with cancer. Generous and caring, he was a man of determination, strength and pride. He was a Spartan in his own rite.

A lifelong resident of Escanaba, Bill was born May 15, 1955. He was the son of the late Sam and Bernice Sayklly of Wells. He was also the only sibling of sister Patti (Mike) DeAgostino of Traverse City.

Bill attended Holy Name High School and after the school’s closure, he graduated from Escanaba High School in 1973. He attended Michigan State University, and was a passionate Spartan fan.

Bill retired in August after 39 years of working for the City of Escanaba as an Equipment Operator. Rarely taking a day off, he enjoyed his job and his coworkers. When he did have a day off, he was not an early riser, but stayed up late into the night watching John Wayne movies, the Food Network, Cupcake Wars and classic comedies like National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Bill had many interests. He enjoyed landscaping, gardening, growing tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions, fishing, and Christmas decorating. His love of sports was all consuming. Rarely did he miss a game on TV and MSU and Spartan football and basketball were among his favorites. Along with his father, he also favored the Los Angeles Rams and took in Green Bay Packer games at Lambeau Field with his friends. There was always time for bowling on his team and golfing with his foursome in his MSU power cart.

Moving to his parents’ home in Wells was a dream aspiraton fulfilled in 2016. He traveled to shops from Green Bay to Marquette to make it his own.

One of Bill’s favorite past times was cooking. His rib eyes on the grill were legendary as was his chicken noodle soup, crispy chicken, Lebanese sveehas and taste for Mueller’s pizza. Like his sister and mother, he could never pass up a good sweet. The holidays were a great time for cookies and fudge and all types of confections especially Sayklly’s Candies.

One of the greatest joys of Bill’s life was spending time with his English Bulldog Mo – the two were inseparable. Whatever Bill did, Mo did – they were like family.

Bill is survived by his beloved sister and brother-in-law, Patti and Mike DeAgostino of Traverse City, uncle Don Sayklly of Escanaba, and aunt Shirley (Robert) Sayklly of Gladstone, first cousins Annette (Nolde) Sayklly and Randy Sayklly of Escanaba and many cousins and special friends including Val Norman.

He was preceded in death by his parents Sam and Bernice Sayklly of Wells, grandparents Wilfred and Esther Couillard of Wells, grandparents George and Genevieve Sayklly of Escanaba, uncle Robert Sayklly of Gladstone, uncle Edmond Sayklly of Milwaukee, aunt Josephine Herro of Milwaukee, and uncle Philip Herro of Texas.

In accordance with Bill’s wishes, cremation has occured. Memorial visitation will be Friday, September 30 at Skradski Family Funeral Home in Escanaba, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Memorial services will follow visiting hours, at 1:00 p.m., at the Skradski Family Funeral Home in Escanaba, with Deacon Terry Saunders officiating. Interment services will follow at Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Wells. He will be laid to rest in the family plot. The Skradski family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be offered online at www.skradskifuneralhomes.com

Memorials may be directed in Bill’s name to the Sandra J. Schulze American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 411 Second Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901.

The family wishes to thank close friends Connie and Alan Ettenhoffer. In addition, gratitude is extended to Mike and Dee Farrell, Doug and Cece Heath, John and Sandy Dagenais, Tom Sabor, Fred Arts, and so many other good and amazing friends who were his angels taking care of and supporting him.