Skinner II, William 'Bill' F.

William “Bill” F. Skinner II died Thursday, April 21, 2011, at Mercy Iowa City at the age of 78 years. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 27, at First Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg, with Pastor Kip Murphy officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. A memorial service also will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Sioux City at a later date. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Williamsburg is caring for the arrangements.

Bill was born June 24, 1932, in Marburg, Germany, the son of W. Sherman Skinner and Helen L. (Loetscher) Skinner. Bill graduated from Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh, Pa., Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., and Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, N.J. Bill was united in marriage to Jane Haggard on June 11, 1955, in Tupelo, Miss. To this union they were blessed with four children.

Bill served as a pastor of the Central Presbyterian Church in Dowingtown, Pa., from 1957-1961; Glading Memorial Church in Philadelphia from 1961-1971; and First Presbyterian Church in Sioux City from 1971-1997. He was active in the denomination at all levels.

He was also active in his community as he served on a number of committees and agencies. He was elected to the Sioux City Council in 1977 and served as mayor for two years, 1980-1981. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Morningside College in Sioux City in 1981 and was named Sioux City's Man of the Year in 1981.

In 2006, Bill and Jane moved to Highland Ridge Senior Living Community in Williamsburg, where he was active in First Presbyterian Church and the Williamsburg Kiwanis Club.

In his free time Bill enjoyed gardening, carving, canoeing, sailing, reading and golfing.

He is survived by his wife, Jane of Williamsburg; four children, William Sherman Skinner II and wife Lori Volpe of Voorhees, N.J., Catherine E. Sladek and husband Jim of Iowa City, Nancy E. Skinner and partner Marcy Beitle of New Vernon, N.J., and Robert A. Skinner and wife Jody of Boston; nine grandchildren; a brother, Sherman Skinner and wife Lorrie of Inlet, N.Y.; and a sister, Sarah T. Skinner of Oak Park, Ill.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, W. Sherman Skinner; mother, Helen; and his stepmother, Frances Skinner.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to First Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg or First Presbyterian Church in Sioux City.

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