William Henry Skinner

William Henry (Bill) Skinner was born to Ellen Clark and Bradford Skinner on July 30,1932, in Shelby, MT. He went to be with his Lord on March 20, 2026, at the age of 93 in Amarillo, TX, where he had been living the past year and a half. He grew up on the farm his father homesteaded for 92 years. He went to a rural school about 2½ miles from his home for 8 years, then to Chester High School, graduating in 1950. At Chester he discovered basketball which became a passion all his life. He played on the high school team four years then went to play at Northern University for three years. After serving in the Marines two years in Korea, he returned home to take over the family farm near Chester. He then began to play on the Chester town basketball fun team which he did for over 50 years.

In 1960, he married Francis McCabe from CT; together they had a beautiful daughter, Donna Louise, born in 1962. Francis died of cancer in 1970. In 1973, he married Betty Tackett who died of cancer in 1989. In 1991, he married Zelma Franklin Northcutt.

Bill was a member of First Baptist Church, Shelby, MT, and a deacon since 1968. Bill loved the Lord and tried to serve Him with his life. He taught a men's Bible study class for 68 years. He spent a few hours each day Monday through Saturday preparing his lessons, even on those days when he didn't get off the tractor until 10 or 11 pm. He was dedicated to teaching the Word.

Bill loved farming and was able to continue in it until the age of 88. He was a welder, mechanic and builder. He worked on his equipment all winter in his shop, so when Spring came and farming began, he had few breakdowns. He was a kind neighbor, always willing to help when needed.

Bill is survived by his wife, Zelma; sister, Betty Limesand of Gildford, MT; daughter, Donna Lehmann of Summerville, SC; step-daughter, Zoy (Kyle) Langford of Amarillo, TX; three step-sons: Tedd (Stephanie) Northcutt of Newcastle, TX; Brad (Vicki) Northcutt of Allen, TX; Greg (Camille) Northcutt of Plainview, TX; one niece, Kay (Dan) Jorgenson of Gildford, MT; and three nephews: Gary (Connie) Limesand of Bozeman, MT; Kip (Sarah) Limesand of Alaska; Mark (Tina) Limesand of Helena, MT. He had 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and many great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Lennie Limesand; nephew, Allen Limesand and one grandson, Daniel Northcutt.

Funeral service will be Monday, March 30, 2026, at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church in Shelby.