William Skinner

William F. "Uncle Bill" Skinner, 92, a third generation Washingtonian who was born six blocks from our nation's capital, on Thanksgiving day, November 26, 1931, and was the only child of the late Fredrick S. and Madeline (Cox) Skinner, died on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Cortland Acres in Thomas, WV.

After graduation from District of Columbia and Arlington, Virginia public schools, during his first marriage, and while employed with the Pullman Co. at Union Station, Bill was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Upon Bill's arrival home he was greeted by his child, a daughter, Susan Lynn. She was walking, talking and eating at the table in a high chair and was pretty well house-broken when he met her for the first time. He returned to work with the Pullman Co. Following a furlough from the railroad and his divorce from his first marriage in 1958, Bill joined the Future Farmers of America, in their Supply Service Division as Supervisor of their Order Department at the National FFA Center in Alexandria. For the next 29 ½ years he grew with the national organization. Retiring early in 1987 for health reasons from his position as Manager of Order Processing, Bill also served as Director of the National FFA Career Show in Kansas City, MO during the 49th and 50th anniversaries of the National FFAS Convention.

Bill was honored by receiving the Honorary American Farmer's Degree in Kansas City, MO in 1968 with Charter Membership #92 in the National FFA Alumni Association in 1973. He holds memberships in the following organizations: Life Member VFW Post #1509 and LOOM Lodge #2165 Dale City, American Legion Post #71, Elks Lodge #2481, and Oakland Lodge #192, A.F & A.M, as well as the Ali Ghan Harige Unit of Oakland, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and Ali Ghan Shiners in Cumberland.

Bill found, fell in love with and married the love of his life, Ruby (Evans) Skinner in Falls Church, VA on February 4, 1961. A second marriage for both, they worked and lived in Arlington. They bought their first home in Dale City in 1972. After both retired in 1994, at Bill's suggestion, they moved and purchased a home in Mountain Lake Park, so Ruby could be near her family. On July 13, 2016, after almost 55 years of marriage the love of his life died.

Bill is survived by special niece, Ellen Harsh; a special nephew, Rodney Hauser; numerous cousins and their spouses; and his former wife, Anne L. McCarty. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Skinner Bringkurst, in 1977. He is the last surviving member of the Skinner family in his generation.

In accordance with Bill's wishes, he will be cremated and a memorial service with Masonic service and military honors will be held on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 11 AM in St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 6 South Second, Oakland with the Rev. Carrie Hoff officiating. Interment will be in Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Bill's honor to St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 6 S. 2nd St., Oakland, MD 21550.