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The full text of the article at www.Rotary.org
is reprinted below:
William E. Skelton, who served as RI president in
1983-84, died 30 August at the age of 89.
A former dean and director of 4-H programs at Virginia
Tech, Skelton had been battling cancer for the past year.
"I truly do not know anybody who really lived and
embodied the Rotary motto of Service Above Self more than
Bill Skelton," says Douglas McAlister, past governor
of District 7570 (Virginia). "He always displayed an
endless vitality, imagination, and a degree of
tenaciousness that I have never seen in anyone else and
will probably never see again."
Skelton first joined the Rotary Club of
Christiansburg-Blacksburg, Virginia, USA, in 1955. In
addition to his term as RI president, he served in
numerous capacities including as district governor;
International Assembly group discussion leader; committee
member and chair; Foundation trustee, chair, and
consultant; director; and first vice president.
He was a recipient of the RI Service Above Self Award
and The Rotary Foundation's Citation for Meritorious
Service and Distinguished Service Award. He also received
the PolioPlus Pioneer Award for his extraordinary service
to PolioPlus.
"In that district, everybody looked up to
him," recalls Jim Johnson, secretary of the
neighboring Rotary Club of Blacksburg. "All the
incoming and past district governors sought his
counsel."
Leaving a legacy
Johnson's wife, Janet, a member of the
Christiansburg-Blacksburg club, said Skelton's many
legacies include a Rotary scholarship for international
exchange students named after him.
"Because of him, we are able to sponsor three of
those a year," she says. "His interest and his
commitment to students and building international goodwill
are a part of his legacy."
Skelton's RI theme, Share Rotary -- Serve People ,
helped Rotarians focus on promoting development in the
areas of membership, community, vocation, and
international relations as a means to achieve Rotary's
humanitarian goals and make a difference in the world.
After his retirement from Virginia Tech in 1979, he
served as dean emeritus, president of the Virgina Tech
alumni association, and athletic association board member.
In 1983, the university presented him with the
Alumni Distinguished Service Award and the Ruffner Medal,
the school's most prestigious honor.
He was a strong proponent of 4-H, the largest
out-of-school youth organization in the United States,
throughout his career, and also served as director of the Virginia
Cooperative Extension. The W.E. Skelton 4-H Conference
Center was named after Skelton and his wife, Margaret
(Peggy), in recognition of their service.
He is survived by his wife, son John K. Skelton, and
daughter Jean S. Montague.
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