James Wiley "J. W." Skillern Jr.

1923 - 2002

James Wiley "J.W." Skillern Jr., 78, died Sunday, March 3, 2002.

Funeral: 2 p.m. Wednesday at Birchman Baptist Church. Burial: Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Greenwood Funeral Home.

Memorials: The family would appreciate memorials to the Music Ministry or Building Fund of Birchman Baptist Church, 9100 N. Normandale, Fort Worth, Texas 76116, where Mr. Skillern was a member.

James Wiley "J.W." Skillern Jr. was born Nov. 4, 1923, near Prairie Hill in Limestone County. He served with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II from 1942 to 1946. Following the war, he was an electrician for 50 years. He worked at Rocketdyne in McGregor for many years and retired from Huck International in Waco.

J.W. enjoyed life and especially enjoyed traveling with his family. He was a loving husband and devoted father. The pride and joy of his life were his three grandchildren who he adored and cherished. J.W. touched the hearts of many and will be missed by all who knew him.

J.W. was preceded in death by a son, J.K. Skillern in 1991; and father, Wiley Skillern.

Survivors: Wife of 54 years, Betty Hardeman Skillern; daughter, Carol Skillern, both of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Chris Skillern and Wendy Skillern of Washington D.C. and Tim Skillern of San Marcos; daughter-in-law, Linda Skillern Northern of Fort Worth; mother, Cora Skillern of Mart; and brother, Delma Skillern and wife, Lura of Texarkana.