William Bennie Skinner

William Bennie Skinner, Sr., 79, of West Palm Beach, passed away July 15, 2011. Mr. Skinner was born June 16, 1932, in Columbia County, FL, to Bryant and Sarah Skinner. He attended Columbia High School in Lake City, Florida, and continued his education at Tennessee Temple College in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was a minister, missionary, and founding pastor of Grace Gospel Church, in West Palm Beach for thirty-five years. He founded churches in St. Martin and Anguilla in the West Indies. He traveled and preached throughout the United States and Africa as well as other countries including Australia, Brazil, Philippines, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica and Haiti. He is survived by his wife, Dura White Skinner of West Palm Beach, Florida; daughters, Debi Savage and Rebekah Johnson; sons, Tim, Ben and David Skinner; grandchildren Melissa Savage Adams, Meredith Savage Simms, Elizabeth Savage, Alexandra Savage, Sarah Johnson, Jordan Johnson, Faith Johnson, Jared and Jenna Skinner, Nathan and Nicholas Skinner, Matthew, Joshua, Abigail, Madeline, Avalon Skinner, and three great-grandchildren, Taylor and Emma Adams, Addison Simms; sisters Ethel Malone and Louise Allen and many beloved nephews and nieces and extended family members.

A service is scheduled and open to friends and family for Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at 10:00AM, Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Funeral Home. Dr. Ronald Hirdes will officiate. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.