Bill Fikaris

BILL FIKARIS, 82, peacefully departed this life on the 6th of February 2008. He was in the comfort of his home surrounded by his wife and children. Bill was born in Chios, Greece and came to the United States in 1952 to live the American dream. He moved to Houston, Texas in 1952 after marrying his wife, Despina. He began a career in the restaurant business and owned several in the Houston area. He was a member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and a member of the Gray Masonic Lodge #329 for over 50 years. He enjoyed family gatherings and holidays, playing cards with his buddies, and fishing for hours on Galveston Bay. He was a devoted husband for 55 years, father and beloved "Papou". He is survived by his wife Despina, his sons Harry and wife Sheila, Jimmy and wife Julie, Michael and wife Vicky and his daughter Maria Colwick and husband Chris; grandchildren John, Gigi, Mina, Stephanie, Nicole, Diana, Katie, Victoria, Eleni, Gracie, and his namesake Vasili. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Anna Payavla, nephews Dimitry and wife Karen, Marcus, and niece Callie. He will be missed dearly by his family and friends. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o'clock until half-past seven o'clock in the evening on Sunday, the 10th of February in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, with Trisagion Prayers commencing at half-past six o'clock in the evening. The funeral service will be conducted at half-past ten o'clock in the morning on Monday, the 11th of February at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Boulevard in Houston, where the Cathedral Clergy will officiate. The interment will follow, via an escorted cortege, at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Avenue. Pallbearers will include his nephews Dimitry and Marcus Payavla, grandson John Fikaris, godson Dan Dutherage, son-in-law Chris Colwick, and long-time friend Nick Caridas. Honorary pallbearers will include Gus Demeris, Nick Demeris and George Vlahakos. In lieu of usual remembrances, contributions in memory of Bill may be directed to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Redevelopment Fund, 3511 Yoakum Boulevard, Houston, TX 77006.