Floyd Baxter Wike of Statesville, N.C., died peacefully at his residence at 5:45 a.m. on December 24, 2020, under the care of Hospice following a struggle with age-related dementia. He was born May 23, 1928, and was 92 years old. He was proceeded in death by his wife, Denell Middlesworth Wike, whom he married in 1968, as well as his parents, Ralph and Irene Wike, and sister, Florence Brookshire.
He was beloved by his surviving stepdaughters, Carole Middlesworth Hewitt and Janice Middlesworth Knight and her husband Jim; six granddaughters, Kim Clark, Debbie Rust (Randy), Amy Zwilling, Sandy Bolt, Beth Scarlata (Mike), and Katrina Vera (Eddie); and twelve great-grandchildren.
He was employed with Iredell County Schools for 34 years from 1954 until he retired in 1988 as Supervisor of Transportation. He humbly managed his crews to ensure buses were in good working condition to provide safe travel for all school children.
Prior to that he proudly served his country in the U.S. Naval Forces beginning September 7, 1950, and following his training at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois was commissioned aboard the USS Gherardi.
He was a former Deacon at New Sterling ARP Church, where he attended regularly and taught Sunday School. He was an avid reader of the Lord’s Word and a faithful and dutiful servant. He embodied all the goodness that God asks of man. He meticulously cared for his parents, sister and wife in their times of need. He loved God, his family, his church, reminiscing about his days in the Navy, and his red Corvette. His hobbies included collecting cars, repairing cars, and day-long road trips with Denell. In his prime, he was likely the best mechanic in Iredell County and generously shared his talent with the community.
The family is grateful to all his caregivers during this past year, including Angie Moser. A special thank you to Savanna Teague, his primary caregiver and angel, for loving him and making him laugh.
A memorial service at New Sterling ARP Church will be scheduled when it is safe to gather. The family will hold a private service this week.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to New Sterling ARP Church, 580 New Sterling Road, Stony Point, NC 28678.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Wike family.