Tenth Generation

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Web site of Liberty High School, class of 1970.

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.

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 quarter finals 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.”
William was a co-owner at Kearney Swimming Pool. He was a member at Liberty United Methodist Church in Liberty, Clay, MO.

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