William E. Skelton

Dr. William E. Skelton, 89, passed away on Saturday, August 30, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer. Dr. Skelton was known worldwide for his exceptional lifetime of outstanding service to others. He lived by three mottos: "To Make The Best Better", "That I May Serve", and "Service Above Self". These three mottos for 4-H, Virginia Tech, and Rotary International, respectively, summarize Bill's selfless commitment to serving others. Born January 10, 1919, in Dinwiddie County, Dr. Skelton grew up on his family's tobacco farm. He enrolled in the Cadet Corps at Virginia Tech in 1936 and worked his way through college, graduating in 1940, with a B.S. in agricultural engineering. Bill began his career in Virginia Cooperative Extension when he became a 4-H agent, in Appomattox, Va. He served in World War II as a United States Army officer in Trinidad and in the African and Italian theaters, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. After the war, Dr. Skelton earned his master's and doctorate in educational administration at Cornell University.
In 1949, Dr. Skelton returned to Blacksburg to begin his 39-year career at Virginia Tech, first as director of 4-H programs and director of the Cooperative Extension Service and culminating with his appointment as Dean of the Extension Division in 1965. He held that position until he retired in 1979, at which time the University conferred upon him the title of Dean Emeritus.
In addition to his leadership in Extension, Skelton has been recognized for 70 years of service to Virginia Tech and the surrounding community in various roles, including volunteer fundraiser, reunion organizer, leadership bboard member, and campaign chair. For his dedication to 4-H and his 40 years of outstanding volunteer service to the Smith Mountain Lake 4-H Center, the facility changed its name in 2004, to the W. E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center.
Bill led the effort to build the conference and alumni center at Virginia Tech, serving as chair of the committee that oversaw the planning, design, and fundraising for the center which included an attached hotel. The complex was named the Inn at Virginia Tech with its Skelton Conference Center named to recognize the tremendous service to the University by Skelton and his wife, Margaret. The couple has endowed the Skelton Award for Academic Excellence, a scholarship awarded annually to a male and female athlete at Virginia Tech for their academic and athletic accomplishments.
Dr. Skelton was known worldwide for his leadership in Rotary International. After serving as club president for the Christiansburg, Blacksburg Rotary Club, and Governor of District 7570, he became President of Rotary International in 1983-84. During that year, he and his wife, Margaret, visited over 100 countries promoting Rotary and "Service Above Self". Bill loved the mountains, Claytor Lake, and the Blacksburg community. He began attending the Blacksburg Baptist Church as a cadet and has been an active member ever since.
Dr. Skelton's greatest legacy is his love for his wife, his children, and the many friends he has known from all walks of life. Dr. Skelton is survived by his beloved wife of 32 years, Margaret G. Skelton; his son, John K. Skelton, of Blacksburg; and his daughter, Jean S. Montague; and his son-in-law, John W. Montague Jr., of Midlothian, Va. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Myrtle and Cleveland Skelton; his brother, C. Watson Skelton; his son, William E. Skelton Jr.; and his first wife, Virginia F. Skelton.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Traci Burke, Deborah Corbit, and all the caregivers who have helped Dr. Skelton this past year. We would also like to thank Dr. Harry McCoy, Dr. Ed Wilder, and the wonderful staff at Montgomery Regional Hospital.
The family will receive friends at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive SW., on Tuesday, September 2, 2008, from 5 to 8 p.m. The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2008, at the Blacksburg Baptist Church with interment at Westview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the 4-H Educational Conference Center at Smith Mountain Lake or to Rotary International. All donations may be mailed to Dr. Doug McAlister, University Development, 902 Prices Fork Road (0336), Blacksburg, Va. 24061. Please earmark your donations for either 4-H or Rotary.