William Edward Skinner

Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 25, 2013

Oct. 10, 1928 – July 20, 2013

NATCHEZ — Memorial services for William Edward “Bill” Skinner, 84, of Natchez, who died Saturday, July 20, 2013, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Natchez.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Saturday at the church.

Mr. Skinner was born Oct. 10, 1928, in Memphis, Tenn., the son of Weldon E. Skinner and Katherine Coe Skinner. He was raised in Nesbit and attended Hernando High School where he played football and baseball.

At the University of Mississippi, he was a member of the U.S. Army ROTC and Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and graduated in 1950 with a bachelor of science degree in pharmacy.

Mr. Skinner began his pharmacy career at Brent’s Pharmacy in Jackson. In 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as first lieutenant and served as a medic and assistant battalion surgeon for two and a half years during the Korean War. Following his military service, he returned to Jackson, and in 1960 was offered a job to open the Medical Arts Pharmacy in Natchez. He served on the board of pharmacy for eight years, presiding as president for one year.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather, his integrity and love of people were evident in his outpouring of service to his community.

Mr. Skinner was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife, Lawahi B. Skinner; four children, Kathy Skinner, Leanne S. Meng and husband, Gregory, all of Senatobia, Chuck Mingee and Elizabeth Thacker and husband, Larry, all of Natchez; eight grandchildren, Weldon Meng, Lyndon Meng, Watts Skinner, all of Senatobia, Harvey Bryant of Vidalia, Lauren Guedon, Drake Thacker, Reagan Anding, all of Natchez, and Carly Mingee of Hattiesburg; and two sisters, Jean Knudson and husband, Al, of Hanford, Calif., and Margaret Skinner of Franklin, Tenn.

The family wishes to thank Hospice Compassus for their loving care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to a charity of choice.