Dateline: July 7, 2005
Skelton
Funeral services for
Willard H. Skelton, age 88, were held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5,
2005, in the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Terry Tamplen of
Odessa, officiating. Burial
was held at Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon with Masonic Graveside Rites by
Clarendon Masonic Lodge #700. Arrangements
were under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors, Inc., of
Clarendon.
Mr. Skelton died
Saturday, July 2, 2005, in Clarendon.
He was born to Mamie and Luther Skelton on October 7, 1916. He married Frances Sanford on July 30, 1937.
Willard served in the Medical Corps of the US Navy and was
stationed in San Diego, California. After discharge, he traveled the Panhandle for 30 years for
Bennets Printing Company of Dallas. He
never forgot a customer and looked forward to seeing each of them.
He loved people. Mr. Skelton joined the First United Methodist Church in 1924.
He greeted everyone who entered the south door each Sunday, was an
usher, and was appointed to many committees.
He and his wife organized the Fellowship Sunday School Class in
1977 and it is still very active. Mr.
Skelton was an election judge for 35 years and was active in local
politics. He was a director
of the Saints’ Roost Museum for 20 years. He
served on the school board, was a city commissioner, on the library board,
a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and was selected as Pioneer Man of
the Year. He joined the
Masonic Lodge at the age of 22, was Past Master, and served as secretary
for 15 years. He had received
the Golden Trowel Award. He
loved to travel and play golf.
He was preceded in
death by his parents; three brothers, Durwood, Cecil, and Fred; and one
granddaughter, Graham Davidson of Vermont.
Survivors include his
wife, Frances of Clarendon; two daughters, Paula Odom and husband Gene of
Aledo and Candace Scarborough and husband Charles of Abilene; one son,
Sanford K. Skelton of Austin; one brother, Bob Skelton of Amarillo;
one nephew, Durwood Skelton of Midland; ten grandchildren; eleven great
grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.