Billye Skillman Obituary
Billye Faye (Cromwell) Skillman
July 7, 1946 - September 1, 2022
Bradenton, Florida - Billye Faye (Cromwell) Skillman, 76, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, granddaughter, aunt, niece, and friend, peacefully completed her life on earth on September 1, 2022, at Suncoast Hospice in Bayfront Medical Center, in St. Petersburg, Florida, with loving family members by her side.
Billye was born in Columbia, Louisiana, to Preston and Myrth Cromwell and had three siblings; Johnnie, Mary, and Jerry. She was raised in a proud military family and frequently moved to different Army bases around the country, eventually beginning her work career in Washington, D.C. She ultimately moved to Manatee County, Florida, in 1967, where she remained for the rest of her life. She was employed by Manatee Memorial Hospital after arriving in Bradenton. She also worked at Garland and Messiener Attorneys, where Billye became a Nationally Certified Legal Assistant. Later Billye and Lou started their own business so they could spend more time with each other. Billye's list of hobbies included reading, public speaking, spending time with family and friends, and, most of all, spending time with Lou. She achieved the Distinguished Toastmasters Award, the highest achievement in Toastmasters, a worldwide organization that operates clubs to promote communication, public speaking, and leadership.
Billye met the love of her life, Louis Anderson Skillman Jr, while working at the hospital. They decided to get married on March 23, 1972, in Bradenton, Florida, and raise their combined six children. Always looking for new challenges together, they tried for a seventh child to round out the gaggle. Together, they created a busy life, building memories for all of them.
Billye was a giver. She was always looking for ways to help other people. She was compassionate, independent, strong-willed, and intelligent. She was always helping anyone in need that she came across in any way possible, whether lending a helping hand, preparing a meal, giving someone a ride, or just sitting and listening to them.
Billye was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and held various positions over the years. She was an active member of her ward and loved her "ward family" dearly.
Above all else, Billye dearly loved Lou and missed him daily. Lou and her family were her everything.
Billye is survived by stepsons, Louis Skillman III (Layton, Utah), William Skillman (Layton, Utah), sons Hank Phillips (Valorie, Bradenton, Florida), Jeremy Skillman (Amy, Parrish, Florida), and daughter Lisa Campbell (Shawn, Hyrum, Utah). Sister Mary Moore (Jim, San Francisco, California) and brother Jerry Cromwell (Ellen, Anacoco, Louisiana). A multitude of grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Billye was preceded in death by her parents Preston and Myrth Cromwell, her sister Johnnie and her husband Louis Anderson Skillman Jr, and sons Richard Lee Skillman and Herbert William Skillman. She will be greatly missed.
A celebration of life will be announced for her in the upcoming weeks.
Published by Bradenton Herald on Sep. 5, 2022.