1929 – 2003

AUBURN – William B. Skelton died peacefully at his home in West Auburn surrounded by his family on Saturday, July 19, one year following a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

He was born in Lewiston on May 13, 1929, to Harold N. and Agnes (Kelley) Skelton. He was a 1951 graduate of Bowdoin College and a 1954 graduate of Boston University Law School. In 1957 he joined his grandfather and father in the Lewiston-Auburn law firm that became Skelton, Taintor & Abbott.

He was an active community member and served on many boards, including the Auburn City Council, Central Maine General Hospital, St. Philip’s Parish, Consumer Water Power, Union Water Power and Riverside Cemetery. He admired honesty, courage and loyalty. He was a loving husband and father, a tireless worker, a happy tinkerer and a passionate sailor. After retiring and for the next 12 years, he and his wife Claire sailed south from Maine on their boat “Showtime,” wintering in the Bahamas and sailing home in the spring.

He is survived by Claire Kane Skelton, his devoted wife of 45 years; by his six children and their spouses, Jane Skelton and Ed Bearor of Bangor, Sue and Bill Porter of Flagstaff, Ariz., Anne Skelton of Auburn, Beth and Dan Perry of Hampden, Amy Skelton and Craig McKenzie of Georgia, Vt., and Bill and Sarah Skelton of Auburn; by grandchildren Joe, Meg and Tom Bearor, Tanner and Sara Porter, Katie and Maura Perry, and Emma, Molly and Grace Skelton; by sisters Jane Taintor of Scarborough and Mary Ames of Colorado Springs, Colo.; by his special nephew, Harold Skelton of Lewiston and by his loyal chocolate lab, Fletcher.

He was predeceased by his parents, by brother Harold S. Skelton, and by infant son William B. Skelton III. He will be remembered by countless, wonderful friends.