William Sykes Forbis, Sr. ’62

William Sykes Forbis, Sr. ’62 of Thomasville, N.C., died August 11 at his residence. He was born December 30, 1939, in Rocky Mount, N.C., a son of the late Rev. Robert Lee Forbis, Jr. and Elizabeth Sykes Forbis. He spent his early childhood years in Moultrie, Ga. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving in Air Weather Service at Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala. He was a 1968 graduate of Davidson College and earned a Masters Degree in social work from the University of Georgia School of Social Work in 1970. His career of service began as a counselor with Foothills Mental Health Center in Lenoir, N.C., where he served from 1970–1974. He served as director of the Foothills Mental Health Center in Marion, N.C., from 1974–1976. From 1976–1980 he served as director of Davidson County Mental Health Center, and under his leadership, The John Varner Mental Health Center was built in Thomasville. Bill worked in private practice from 1980–84, then served as a therapist with children and youth in Guilford County. He retired as an LCSW with Guilford County Mental Health in 2003. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Thomasville since 1976, and served as a Deacon and Elder and was actively involved with “Pennies for Hunger” and the church’s Centennial celebration. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert L. Forbis, Jr. ’33 and Mary Elizabeth Sykes Forbis. He is survived by his son, William S. Forbis, Jr. (Valerie); daughter, Heather Forbis Marks ’90 (John); grandson, Jonathan Marks; sister, Mrs. Mary Forbis Root (Dave); brother, Robert Lee Forbis III (Betty); and a great-aunt, Judy Forbis.