William Barton Skelton, Jr

William Barton Skelton, Jr., 91, passed away on October 10, 2011, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice & Life Care Center. Mr. Skelton was born on October 7, 1920, in Meadville, Pennsylvania, to Dr. and Mrs. William Barton Skelton. Mr. Skelton achieved the rank of Captain while serving in the U.S. Army in the European theater during World War II, with the 603rd Engineer Camouflage Battalion Special, serving under Gen. George Patton and his Secret Army. Captain Skelton was awarded the Bronze Star and five Battle Stars. After his military service Mr. Skelton graduated from Carnegie-Melon Institute of Technology with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He worked for Goodyear Tire and then for 33 years as a chemical engineer with I.E. DuPont. Mr. Skelton was a past president of the Cape Fear Power Squadron. Mr. Skelton, ""Grandpa"", was an accomplished magician, and he enjoyed sharing his magic tricks with everyone. He was an avid ballroom dancer and an aficionado of big band music. He enjoyed his time spent visiting Nova Scotia Canada, Maine and the upper peninsula of Michigan. He was a volunteer at Kids Making It, where he lovingly shared his woodworking skills with at-risk youth. Mr. Skelton was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Jessica Matthews Skelton. He is survived by three daughters, Helen Lewis Neal of Wilmington, NC., Malinda McKinney Roy of Windham, Maine and Anne Best Billy of Wilmington, NC. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, William K. Trask, Jr. Ansley, Alexis Bostic Brett, Jessica Lewis, all of Wilmington, NC., Cameron Kunesh Mark of Warren, Maine, David Walker of Sterling, Illinois, Tyrrell Accattato Michael, Andrew Best all of Wilmington, NC., and nine great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank Dr. Neill Musselwhite , for his friendship and care over many years, and his staff. They would also like to thank the staff of New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Lower Cape Fear Hospice & Life Care Center. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, October 12, 2011, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 1219 Forest Hills Drive, Wilmington, NC. 28403. Family and friends will gather afterward at the home of Helen and Neal Lewis, 541 McEachern Court, Wilmington, NC. 28412, to celebrate the life of Mr. Skelton. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Kids Making It, Inc., 15 S. Water Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, and to Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center.