William W. Skidmore

WILLIAM WALLACE SKIDMORE, lifelong resident of Logan and the last remaining charter member of the Logan 9th Ward, died peacefully on February 24, 2009. He was born April 5, 1912 in Logan, Utah to George Willis and Mary Louise Burnham Skidmore, the fourth of eleven children. He graduated from Logan High School, class of 1930. From 1933 to1935 he served as a missionary in the German/Austrian Mission. He graduated from Utah State Agricultural College (USU), class of 1937, where he majored in the English and German languages. He supported himself through college by running the Fish Haven Café on Bear Lake during the summers.

On September 14, 1937 William married Ruth May Allen of Providence, Utah in the Logan Temple. They had two sons and three daughters; George Allen, William Wallace, Jr., Ruth Marie, Winnie May, and Linda Kay. They were also foster parents to two Apache children, Marcie and Bravie Notsinneh, through the LDS Church’s Indian Placement Program.

William was employed as Work Project Supervisor for the National Youth Administration from 1938-42. From 1942-46 he worked as a civilian purchasing agent in aircraft supply at Hill Air Force Base where he acquisitioned supplies to Colonel Tippets Atomic Bomb Squadron. He then worked in the Student Housing Department at Utah State University as coordinator and director from 1946 until he retired in 1977. During his tenure, he helped plan and supervise the construction of 8 student residence halls on the University Campus.

William and Ruth lived the majority of their married life within the boundaries of the Logan 9th Ward where they constructed two homes. During his nearly 90 years as a member of the Logan 9th Ward, established in 1916, William participated in the construction and subsequent renovations of the Logan 9th Ward Chapel and served in many leadership capacities including Counselor and President of the Elder’s Quorum, Counselor in the Bishopric, and as Bishop from 1961-67, after which he served on the High Counsel in the Cache Stake, and later as Ward Executive Secretary. In 1982-83 Ruth and William served together as missionaries in the Bern Switzerland Temple Mission. William also served as a temple worker and sealer in the Logan Temple for 14 years.

William is survived by Ruth, his sweetheart and beloved wife of nearly 72 years, his five children and their spouses; George and DeeAnne Skidmore (Spokane, WA), William and Bonita Skidmore (Sun City, AZ), Marie and Clark England (Logan, UT), Winnie May and Kent Burton (Arlington, VA), and Linda and Richard Daines (New York, NY), 30 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers and their wives, Henry and Doris Skidmore (Mendon, UT), Robert and Pat Skidmore (Yuba City, CA) and one sister-in-law, Barbara Skidmore (Roy, UT).

William was known for his kindness, hospitality, abundant vegetable garden, home made bread, quick wit, buzz kisses, excellent memory, brilliant storytelling, perfect grammar, fluency in the German language, and his profound devotion to God and his family. He died quietly at Pioneer Valley Lodge, his residence since 2006, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Funeral Services will be held at the Logan 9th Ward Chapel, 125 East 500 North on February 27, 2009 at 12:00 Noon with a viewing just prior beginning at 10:30 until 11:30 a.m. A viewing will also take place at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center in Logan on Thursday, February 26, 2009 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. William will be interred at Providence Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the many individuals who provided care and kindness to William over the years with special thanks to Adrian Toledo, Hearts and Hands Home Care, Alpine Hospice and Homecare, and the residents, staff and managers at the Pioneer Valley Lodge.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.allenmortuaries.net