William "Bill" Miles Skillman (Deceased), Liberty, MO Missouri

In Memory

William "Bill" Miles Skillman

William Bill Miles Skillman

February 25, 1952 - July 31, 2006

Graduated from William Jewell College in 1975, Central Missouri State 1977

Athletic Director and coach, teacher at Kearney High School for 29 years

Co-owned Kearney Swimming Pool

Honored as Missouri Wrestling Association Wrestling Coach of the year in 1995

Survived by mother Nancy, sister, Susan, brother and sister in law John and Libby

Niece Katie and nephews Miles and Jacob

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07/10/10 03:17 PM

Keith Pence

Contributed by Vic Schultz

From the Kansas City Star on August 2, 2006 regarding Bill Skillman

A Tough Loss for Kearney

Death of athletic director, who had been with district since 1977,

leaves many shaken by Cole Young

Bill Skillman, a cornerstone of Kearney High School athletics,

has died. He was 54.

Skillman died Monday evening at KU Medical Center from

heart failure related to complications with a lung clot. He had been in

the hospital since July 13.

Joining the staff at Kearney in 1977, Skillman was at various

times wrestling coach, football coach, and assistant baseball coach for

the district. Since 2001, he was athletic director.

Skillman led the Bulldog football team to the Class 4 quarterfinals

in 1989 before leaving that position in 1994.

Whether it was running a wrestling tournament or a football practice,

Skillman’s main goal was clear.

“Bill would most want to be remembered for being a professional,”

Kearney principal Daryl Rinne said, “He wanted to make sure things were

done professionally, no matter what it was.”

Rinne said Skillman was the reason he decided to pursue a job

opening in the Kearney district.

Off the field, Skillman taught physical education, health and special

education at different times in his career. Additionally, he was vocal in

starting the Champions of Character, a program that promoted a healthy

relationship among parents, students and coaches.

“It’s going to be hard to replace him because he had been here so

many years,” said Kearney girls basketball coach Herb Webster.

“To find someone to step in who has that much experience is going

to be impossible. He knew Kearney frontward and backward, both the

school and the community.”

Webster initially was Skillman’s athletic director. After Webster retired, Skillman took over in the director’s position. Throughout a 26-year relationship,

Webster said it was apparent Skillman was incredibly dedicated to his job.

While on the field, Skillman will be remembered for being a disciplinarian.

Outside practice he was known for being lighthearted.

“We had some good times on the bus rides to and from practice,” said

Yale Van Dyne, who graduated from Kearney in 1987 and went on to play at

Michigan.

“But at the same time, when it was time to go to work, it was time to

go to work, and he made sure we knew that.”

Skillman worked alongside John Ball, who was his assistant coach since Skillman came to Kearney in 1977.

The duo then became business partners, owning a swimming pool in Kearney.

He’ll be remembered,” Ball said. “It will be just like an artist: More and more

As time goes by, people will remember the great contribution he gave to these kids.”

07/15/10 05:10 PM

Robert Weagley

Over the years, I would see people from Kearney come to Columbia for sporting events. If I asked if they know Bill, they would always say yes and then go on as to how much they respected him for what he did for young people.

Just the other day, I asked Chris Belcher, Columbia's Superintendent that we got from Kearney, and he said something similar. Pretty nice legacy, Bill. Thanks.

07/30/10 06:25 PM

Molly Smith (Smith)

In elementary school at Franklin, we used to play tag, or climb on the jungle gym, or swing on the swings, or wrestle. I remember Bill was the one guy I could never wrestle to the ground.

08/07/10 10:38 AM

Vic Schultze

Bill and I were good friends in High School, but it was college where we became "brothers." Bill was all about moral, the right way, no shortcuts, and I'm so very thankful for him staying on top of this clumsy class-skipping fraternity brother, or I never woulda made it without him. I loved his zest for life, his everpresent smile - and his so very strong convictions. (Yet, I too loved the times he let his hair down, and he did that exceedingly well - fun. Fun man.)

Education was perfect for Bill, he was very good in turning young people into responsible, productive adults.

I will never forget our 24 hour nonstop ride to Padre Island. His "dop kit" where he helped heal many a fraternity brother's arm, leg, stitch, wound, sprain.. I don't believe I ever met anyone that didn't like Bill. That's a very nice legacy - and I miss him.

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