Bill Sykes (chaplain)

Revd William ("Bill") George David Sykes MA (1939 – 17 January 2015) was an English college fellow, chaplain, and book author.

Bill Sykes was born in Yorkshire, England. He attended school at Worksop College in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. Sykes then undertook National Service, joining the Gurkhas. He then studied for a PPE degree at Balliol College, Oxford. Upon finishing his degree and following on from his experience with the Gurkhas, Sykes joined an expedition to Nepal organized by Oxford University, acting as an interpreter. After returning from the expedition, Sykes trained for ordination at Wycliffe Hall in North Oxford.

In 1965, Sykes was appointed as a canon at Bradford Cathedral in Yorkshire. In 1969, he became the chaplain at University College London. In 1978, he moved to University College, Oxford as fellow and chaplain, remaining there until his retirement in 2005. Subsequently, he was elected as an Emeritus Fellow of the College.

Sykes wrote books and reflective thoughts on religious ideas, most notably Visions of Faith: An Anthology of Reflections. His portrait was painted by the artist Daphne Todd.

Bill Sykes died on 17 January 2015 at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, England, aged 75.