William "Bill" Rogers Sylar, Jr.

William “Bill” Rogers Sylar, Jr., 86, of Georgetown, passed away Sunday, July 19, 2020 at his step daughter’s home.  He was a 20 year veteran of the United States Navy where he was an electrician.  During his time in the Navy he served on board a submarine.  Bill also worked with IBEW 175 until his retirement.  He was a member of Tasso Baptist Church.

He was also a very active member of the Cleveland Lodge #134 F&AM and served as Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1990.  Bill was very active in the York Rite, having served as the presiding officer of each of the three York Rite Bodies.  For his service and dedication he received the Knight York Grand Cross of Honor.  In 2005 Bill was elected and served as the Most Illustrious Grand Master of Cryptic Mason in Tennessee, an office he served with honor and distinction, loved and respected by all his brethren across the state.

Bill was also a member of the Valley of Chattanooga Scottish Rite, where in 2007 he was invested with the Rank and Decoration of a Knight Commander in the Court of Honor and Eastern Star.  He was a member and past presiding officer of many Masonic bodies in Hamilton County. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Rogers Sylar and Frances Hill Sylar; his first wife, Joyce Hennessee Sylar; his second wife, Evelyn Hixson Sylar; and his sister, Barbara Nettles.

Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Crews Sylar of Cleveland; daughter of his heart, Joy Finney; his best friend, Billy Harris; step children, Sandy (Ben) Payne and Simon (Sherry) Bean; grandchildren, Grayson Payne, Spencer Payne, Lindsay Payne, Ellie Bean and Elijah Bean; brothers-in-law, Dennis (Doris) Crews of Gallatin and Ronald (Sharon) Crews of Chattanooga; three precious nieces by marriage, Teresa (Fred) Finicum, Barbara (Terry) Marr and Dinky Mowery; mother-in-law, Frances Crews; nephews, Harry Nettles, Mark Nettles, George Nettles and Mike Nettles; and numerous nieces and nephews by marriage.   

The funeral will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 in the chapel of Fike-Randolph & Son Funeral Home with Pastor Kenny Isbill officiating.  A Masonic service will be held prior to the service. 

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2020 at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with full military honors. 

His family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home prior to the service.

The family requests that memorials be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, ATTN:  Office of Development, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL  33607.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Sylar family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.