William Boyd “Bill” Skinner, age 100, of Pickford, Michigan, passed away on November 19, 2024, at MyMichigan Medical Center, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Bill was born in Pickford on July 21, 1924, to Harry J. Skinner and Ethel M. (Rapson) Skinner Sims. He was born and raised on the family farm on Fairview Road. Shortly after Bill was born, his father passed away, leaving him and his siblings to care for the family farm. Drafted into the United States Army in 1943, Bill completed his military entry training at Fort McCoy and served as a Military Police guard at Fort Custer. While there he was selected to attend training to become a combat medic, following the training he was transported by box car to a troop ship which sailed him to Okinawa where he served as a combat medic during the Battle of Okinawa.
After returning home from World War II, Bill met the love of his life, Dorothy Marion “Dot” (Izzard) Rapson, a widow with four children and the best friend of his sister. Bill and Dot were married on June 10, 1950, and they settled on the Izzard family farm south of Pickford where they added to their family with three more children. In addition to caring for the Izzard family farm Bill worked heavy construction, further specializing in dynamite blasting. Bill continued to hone his skills as a blaster to the point where his services were in constant demand well into his 70’s and 80’s. He was proud to have worked on many civil service projects of local and national importance to include: the MacArthur Lock, the Poe Lock, the Rock Cut Chanel deepening, the Mackinac Bridge, and many infrastructure and pipeline projects throughout Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
Following a fire on the Izzard homestead, Bill and Dot relocated to Skinner family land located on Fairview Road. This is where he and Dot created a sanctuary for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Bill spent his free time gardening, hunting, fishing, cutting firewood, reading western novels, making maple syrup, canning vegetables, watching the Tigers, and hosting his family and friends with a bonfire. He enjoyed taking rides through Sand Ridge, rescue missions with his tractor, or simply sitting on the porch or under a shade tree with his brother Verne, brother-in-law Harv, his grandkids or anyone.
Bill loved spending time with his family and watching his kids, grandkids, and later his great grandkids’ sporting events. On the weekends he enjoyed nothing more than having his home full of friends and family, where they would play cards and visit around the dining room table. His quick wit and wonderful sense of humor were well known, and he was always willing to give his heartfelt and candid advice with a warm smile and twinkle in his eye.
Bill is survived by his children, Ronald Rapson of Alto, Michigan, Gloria Wilson of Terre Haute, Indiana, Robert (Lynn) Rapson of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Beverly “Joann” Tippie of Pickford, Marion (James) Hank of Sault Ste. Marie, William Skinner of Pickford, and James (Peggy) Skinner of Goetzville, Michigan. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jimmy (Allison) Rapson, Jenice Wirth, Charlene (Peter Maritz) Jundt, Carol (Troy) Elbert, Dean Tippie, Kristina (Terry) Mayle, Charles (Lisa) Rapson, Billy (Courtney) Rapson, Jason (Michelle) Huyck, Daniel (Amanda) Huyck, Nicholas (Mary) Huyck, Holly Skinner, Sarah Skinner, Michelle Skinner, James (Paula) Skinner, and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Harry J. Skinner and William and Ethel Sims; brothers, Verne Skinner and Nelson Sims; sister, Veda Sodergren; sister-in-law, Janet Skinner; brother-in-law, Harvey Sodergren; and son-in-law, John Tippie.
Services will be held on Tuesday, November 26th, 2024, at 10:00 AM at the Family Life Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 Pickford, MI 49774, with a luncheon to follow at the Pickford Township Hall. Burial will immediately follow the service at Fairview Cemetery in Pickford, MI.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Pickford Booster Club at the memorial or through venmo: @boostersphs
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
