Bill Skelton

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Billie Franklin Skelton, 78, went to heaven Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, when he passed away from natural causes in his Charleston home.

Bill was born Sept. 10, 1945, to Maude and John Skelton in Bloomfield, Missouri.

When reflecting about his life and the words for his obituary, he laughed, "I was born, I worked, and then I died." There was no one who could rival his strong work ethic. Few knew Bill as an entrepreneur, but at 5 he began selling Grit newspapers door-to-door. He also sold greeting cards, garden seeds and poke. For a nickel or dime, Bill would take-out trash for neighbors. At 8, he chopped and picked cotton. At 9, he mowed yards. At 10, he helped unload KAS potato chips. He would also collect and sell corn remaining in the field after harvesting. He worked at IGA, stocking shelves and carrying groceries. He also worked in a lumber yard and cleaned horse stables.

Bill graduated from Charleston High School in 1963 and worked at Auto Tire and Parts. He then worked as a delivery driver for Bunny Bread in Centralia, Illinois. In 1967, he began his 42-year career with UPS as a package car driver out of Sikeston, Missouri, and later Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He later became a feeder-driver based out of Sikeston and then Cape Girardeau, until his retirement in 2009.

In the 11th grade, he met a fellow Charleston High School student named Paula Brown. After graduation, he would later reconnect with Paula, and they wed in 1965, going on to have four children and four grandchildren who lovingly called him Papa.

If you had the privilege of meeting Bill Skelton, you may have observed a strong and outspoken man. But he was also loving, compassionate and generous. He was the silent servant paying electricity bills for families about to lose service. He was the anonymous man buying roses for widows on Valentine's Day. At Thanksgiving, Bill and Paula would give each grandchild $50 to bless someone in need during the holiday season. On Christmas Eve, each grandchild would share stories about their acts of kindness. He taught his grandchildren to see the needs around them and respond with compassion. He was even known to buy dog food for pets abandoned at the city dump. He took time to love the people and animals that God brought across his path.

Bill and Paula lived in Scott City for 47 years. In 2019, they were able to return to their hometown of Charleston. They spent three years together in their new home, and then he faced another lonely 16 months without his bride sitting by his side on their front porch. His faith in God sustained every step of his journey. His legacy of love, kindness, integrity and hard work to provide for his family will not be forgotten.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, John and Maude; his firstborn son, John Paul; and his sister, Jean Ann McReynolds.

He is survived by his daughter, Sherri (David) and their child, Abigail Grace, all of Nashville, Tennessee; sons, Mike (Kara) and their sons, Grant and Will, all of Cape Girardeau, and his son, Jeff (Hanan) and their son, Matthew, of Atlanta; sister, Debbie (Bruce) Ray of Missouri; and brothers, Nathan (Barbara) Skelton of Sikeston and Bob Skelton of Charleston.

The family will hold a graveside service to say their final goodbye at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, at IOOF Cemetery in Charleston.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Granting Grace. Inspired by the Skelton Christmas blessing tradition, Bill's grandson began this ministry of assistance to those in need. Those who desire to donate may send gifts to Granting Grace Outreach at 1572 Howell St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.