Willis “Bill” E. Sikkema, 97, of Erie, IL, died Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Pleasant View Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, in Morrison, IL.
Willis was born May 10, 1926, in Garden Plain Township, IL, to Joseph J. and Gertrude (Wilkins) Sikkema. He was educated in the East Clinton Grade Schools and was a graduate of Fulton High School. She died April 25, 2022. He farmed in the Erie and Albany, IL, area his entire life and also hauled cattle and hogs for other farmers. Willis was one of the founding members of Bethel Christian Reformed Church. He was a Sunday School and Catechism teacher and held about every other position possible in the church, except for Pastor. He was active with Unity Christian School, where he served on the Board. He was a member of United Commercial Travels and the Handicapped Awareness Board. Willis was an avid bowler.
Survivors include one daughter, Christine (Dale) Nichols of Clinton, IA; two sons, Paul Sikkema and Andy (Shelle) Sikkema both of Clinton; nine grandchildren, Billy (Tracy) Ebensberger, Richard (Amanda) Ebensberger, Rebekah Ebensberger, and Rose Ebensberger, Sarah (Eric) Peterson, Rebekah Wheatley, Sarah Abolt, Anna Murphey, and Jacob Abolt; 16 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Bill Stadt of Rockford, MI, and Larry (Pat) Oostenryk of Albany; sister-in-law, Roberta Sikkema of Thomson, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lois; sister, Wilma Jean Stadt; brothers, Robert and Arnold Sikkema.
His Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home in Fulton, IL, with Rev. Daniel Jongsma, Interim Pastor at Bethel Christian Reformed Church, officiating.
A Visitation will precede the service starting at 2:00 p.m., until the start of the Funeral.
Interment will be at Fulton Township Cemetery, Fulton, IL.
A memorial has been established to Unity Christian School.