"Rest In Peace Bill, you will always be remembered!!"
In loving memory of
William Skinner
July 7, 1936 - November 7, 2016
William Skinner, of Antigo, died Monday, November 7, 2016 at home. He was 80 years old. He was born on July 7, 1936 in Antigo, a son of William and Viola (Pankratz) Skinner. He married Linda Gabler on August 10, 1978 at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Antigo. She survives.
He was a graduate of Antigo High School with the class of 1955 where he played on their first high school hockey team.
He was employed as a deliveryman in Antigo for many years, first for Service Dry Cleaners and later for Geno McKenna and Sons Distributing, retiring in 1984.
He considered himself "the world's greatest hunter and fisherman" who enjoyed the outdoors.
He was a founding member of the Antigo Youth Hockey League; member and past president of the Antigo Moose Lodge; served on the St. Hyacinth School Board of Education and was a member of SS Mary & Hyacinth Catholic Church.
Survivors including his wife are two daughters, Nicole Skinner, Antigo, Sarah Skinner, Dallas, Texas; also survived by his wife Linda's daughter Jeanie (Col. Russell, US Air Force, retired) Mathers, Bossier City, Louisiana; three step children Ginger Reimer, Aniwa, Shawn and Dean Reimer, Green Bay; two sisters, Nancy Platt, Waynesville, Missouri, Luella Flemming, Antigo; a brother, Richard (Kay) Skinner, Antigo; and caregiver, Ganbaatar "Tom" Dorj.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his previous wife Betty; a sister, Shirley in childhood, a brother, Donald (Rose Marie) Skinner, two brothers-in-law, Clarence Platt and Clyde Flemming.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 11 a.m. at SS Mary & Hyacinth Catholic Church with Rev. David Schmidt, officiating. Burial will take place in Queen of Peace Cemetery.
Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Bradley Funeral Home and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.
A parish wake service will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday also at the funeral home.
Bill regrets that he will not be able to shake hands and greet people at his final earthly banquet, however, he is enjoying his welcome to the heavenly feast.
Tributes
"Sending my deepest sympathy to all of Bill's family. Prayers and thoughts are with you. Shirley Zelazoski "
"Always a positive attitude, happy to see you and quick to share the great happenings in his life. Many times those events were hunting or fishing stories. Many more times they were updates on his family which he was very proud of. We all have our favorite "Bill" story and we will miss that special soul who enjoyed life, friends and family so much!"
"Precious Bill, I am 61 years old, and as a little girl with many siblings I still remember Bill would stop at our home to pick up dry cleaning, when we lived on cherry road and V. As kids we seldom saw or got candy and Bill would always give us kids pieces of tootsie rolls and we NEVER FORGOT THAT, I think he knew and I will be forever blessed by that act of kindness. He was a blessing to many. We love and miss you Bill."
"Thanks for opening up your home to me so many years ago Bill and Linda, I have many fond memories of the time I spent living above you guys! Linda and family sending hugs and prayers your way. "
"As part of the 2nd Avenue gang whose heyday was in the 70's and 80's, Bill's family and I spent a great deal of time together. Lots of 4th of July celebrations and joking around. I got to visit with Bill and Linda at his daughter's bar some years back, and we had such a nice time together again. My best to Linda, Nikki, Sarah, and Jeannie."
"My condolences to Bill's family. I knew Bill as the scrawny kid (2 years above me in high school) who always had a smile on his face. He was a pretty good dancer too. Aging was very kind to him as he looks very much as I remembered him. I'll look forward to shaking his hand at the Lord's Supper. Sincerely, Janet (Rosio) Schoblaska "
"Dick--Couldn't have asked for a better brother and friend--very ford memories--Bob"
"I will always remember him stopping to drop off and pick up our dry cleaning. Us kids always got a sucker, the kind on the white braided string. He always had a smile and we looked forward to seeing him, and getting a sucker. Vi was a sweetheart too. Great memories. "
"Rest in Peace Bill, and ur stories will have heaven rockin."