William Harold Skeith

William Harold "Bill" Skeith, 97, passed away peacefully at home on September 2, 2026. Born November 26, 1928, in Stuart, OK, to George and Minnie Skeith, Bill graduated from McAlester High School and attended EOSC, East Central, and the University of Oklahoma.

While attending college, he worked at radio station KTMC in McAlester, where he became the voice of the McAlester Rockets, the farm team for the New York Yankees. He is given credit for giving Whitey Herzog his nickname "Whitey," which stuck with Herzog the rest of his life.

In 1954, Bill was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing Pittsburg County. He served 18 years undefeated, including 14 years as chairman of the Roads and Highway Committee, authoring legislation for the H.E. Bailey, Indian Nation, Muskogee, and John Kilpatrick Turnpikes. That same year, he joined the Association of Oklahoma General Contractors, serving 44 years as Executive Director until retiring in 1998.

In 1962, Bill married Evogene "Jeannie" Smith and settled in Oklahoma City. They shared 63 years of marriage until her passing in May 2026. Deeply devoted to their faith, Bill and Jeannie were active members of Westminster Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years.

Preceded in death by his parents, wife Jeannie, and grandson Adam, he is survived by his sons, Joe David (Sheila) Skeith, and William Andrew Skeith; grandchildren Jacob (Sarah) Skeith, Maggie (Robert) Petrosino, and Rachel Skeith; and five great-grandchildren.

Bill leaves a lasting legacy through his beloved family, his faith, and his decades of transformative leadership across Oklahoma.