William Edward Skinner Sr.

William Edward "Bill" Skinner, 87, passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, peacefully in his home. Bill was born in Selma, Alabama on November 23, 1929, the son of the late James Elbert and Margaret (deFabritis) Skinner.

In 1954 he married Mary Evelyn "Becky" Hartley and she preceded him in death in December 1997. He married Margaret Peddy Smith in October 2003, and she survives.

He is survived by his four children Mary Skinner of Nashville, TN; Elizabeth Parsons (Dee) of Riverside, AL; Margaret Nichols of Jacksonville, FL; and William Skinner, Jr. (Nancy) of Savannah, GA; as well as nine grandchildren: Seton, Samuel and Noah Parsons; Lesley, Luke and Emma Nichols; Caroline, Cole and Mary Talbot Skinner and one great grandson, Hunter Mason Carper. He is also survived by his sister, Miriam Saul and her husband, O. E. Saul, of Bainbridge, GA and several nieces and nephews.

After graduating from Auburn University with a B.A. in Engineering in 1951, Bill went on to earn his law degree from the University of Alabama in 1953. After law school he joined the U.S. Air Force and served for over 20 years in the Judge Advocate General's office before retiring as a Lt. Colonel. After retiring from military service, he moved to Montgomery and began practicing law with the late William Gobrecht.

He was a longtime member of the Alabama Bar Association, Montgomery Lions Club, the Maxwell AFB Officers Club and the Young Meadows Presbyterian Church. He was an avid golfer, and a devoted husband, father and grandfather, who shared his love of travel and of history with all who knew him.

The funeral service with military honors will be held at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home on Friday, May 5 at 10 a.m., presided by Dr James R. Simoneau and Jay Joye of Young Meadows Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. prior to the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be given to Young Meadows Presbyterian Church or the charity of your choice.