Louis Wilson Sikkelee

Beloved Uncle and friend to many, Louis Wilson Sikkelee of Richmond, Virginia passed away peacefully on April 24,2026 at Laurels of University Park, 2420 Pemberton Road in Henrico County Virginia. At 83 years old, he was preceded in death by his sister Joyce Dabney Aaron.

Born to Henry and Cornelia Sikkelee in Richmond, Virginia on April 18, 1943, Louis’s life would lend him to many paths. As a young boy growing up in Henrico County, he worked with his family to raise, process and sell turkeys on the farm they owned on Pemberton Road. Ironically this location became the same site of the Laurels assisted living facility where he restfully stayed his last days.

Graduating from Hermitage High School in 1961, Louis prepared his future for a career in law. He attended Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Virginia where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history in 1965. After graduation form Randolph Macon, he attended the University of Richmond where he studied at T.C. Williams School of Law, graduating and passing the bar to become an attorney on June 3, 1968.

Unfortunately, a few months after this proud achievement, the conflict in Vietnam became an apparent roadblock for young men of the time. So, with much consideration before his inevitable draft, Louis enlisted in the United States Navy in September of 1968. He was immediately sent to recruit training command at Great Lakes Illinois. Upon his graduation from boot camp his naval career seemed well on its way until fate stepped in again to intervene with the sudden death of his father in January of 1969. A mandatory ‘expiration of active obligation’ from service was bestowed upon him for being the sole surviving son of the family. This government mandate would bring him home from active military service on June 1969 and transfer him to the U.S. Naval Reserve until the time of his honorable discharge in 1974.

Once back home and with time to reconsider his life, Louis decided that rather than exploring a field in law, he would pursue his interest towards his long running passion for antiques. For the next fifty-six years, he read, researched and studied, honing his skills in a wide variety of antiquity endeavors with silverware becoming his specialty. If you wanted to know about silverware, the best pieces and the best prices, you need not look any further than Louis. He was well versed in his profession. Traveling extensively over the years along the southern east coast, he set up his tables at many antique shows, constantly searching for favorite pieces along the way.

One of his favorite places was Charleston South Carolina. He loved the area and collected the history of Charleston through his many volumes of books, paintings, sketch art and visits

His travels also found him spending summers in Highlands, North Carolina. There he would work to help friends and owners of a local shop in the area. The charm of the small town as well as the close friendships that were forged would bring him back to the mountains year after year.

Equally, Louis knew a lot about Richmond. Its history, its buildings and its famous people. He would amaze the listener with his local Richmond knowledge during any conversation.

His love for all things Richmond was further expanded during his long running employment with Marth’s Mixture. A local antique store in Richmond, Martha’s gave Louis the opportunity to see many interesting pieces that were brought in by locals. In return, the shoppers confidence was lifted in their purchasing choices, knowing that Louis had the professional insight to lead them towards good values in antiques.

He was also very proud to be a part of Randolph Macon College. He admired the knowledge and the experiences that he found there. He wouldn’t boast about it, but it was apparent by the many ball caps he had with the RMC logo.

Louis dearly loved his friendships. They were very important to him and he was always open to conversation that could possibly lead him to new and interesting people.

His love for his family was very apparent. He always tried to instill the responsibility to remember grandparents, great grandparents, great uncles, aunts as well as all other past family members. He would not only tell you, but show you where they had lived, all the while explaining the stories of their lives in such detail that you could almost smell the kitchen cooking and hear the laughter as mothers and aunts sewed in the afternoons.

Periodically at birthdays or Christmas, he would generously give something that had belonged to past family from years gone by. His giving attitude and wealth of information was always appreciated and will now be very missed.

Louis is survived by his loving niece Sheryl Paley, his nephew Steve Dabney, his nephew Michael Aaron (Valerie) his two great nephews Jason Paley (Maria) and Justin Paley (Hailey) and their five adoring children, Sophia, Ella, Sawyer, Brooks and Parks Paley, as well as his close friends.

The family will receive friends May 8, 2026 between 10am and 11 am, on the morning of the service. The service will be held at 11am at the Woody Chapel, 1020 Huguenot Road, Midlothian, Virginia. Following the service, for all those wishing to attend at the gravesite, there will be a self-guided commute to Forest Lawn Cemetery. 4000 Pilots Lane, Richmond, Virginia.

A map of the cemetery will be provided if needed.