Francis H. "Skimmer" Wilson

Mr. Francis H. "Skimmer"  Wilson, 91, of Humming Bird Lane, Bedford, departed this life at 9:13 AM, Friday, September 26th, 2014 at his home.

Mr. Wilson was born in Bedford on Saturday, March 31, 1923,  he was the son of the late Harry H.  and Hazel Marie (Smith) Wilson.

On April 12, 1942, he was married to Mary Margaret (Feather) Wilson in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bedford by Rev. George I. Melhorn.

In addition to his wife he is survived by Son- Michael Henry husband of  Christina E. (Braman) Wilson, Bedford; Son- Danny Lee husband of  Vicki (Frederickson) Wilson, Montrose, CO; Son- Gerry Eugene Wilson, Everett; Son- Andrew Paul husband of  Sharon (Weicht) Wilson, Everett; Daughter- Lynn Rae wife of  Larry Robeson, Bedford; Sister- Margaret Evelyn "Sis" Rose, Bedford; Brother- Clair Willard "Gabby" husband of  Shirley (Kochendarfer) Wilson, Somerset. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and 8 great great grandchildren, all of whom loved him very dearly. He was preceded in death by brothers, John Allen Wilson, Harry Otis Wilson and Carl Daniel "Brig" Wilson.

Francis was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bedford and affiliated with the St. Mark's Lutheran Church.  He graduated from Bedford High School in 1941 then went on to serve in the US Army during W.W.II in the anti-aircraft artillery and the 1125th Field Artillery in North Africa, Corsica and Italy.  Skimmer received the good conduct medal, a bronze star medal, a European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze stars and a World War II Victory Ribbon.

Skimmer worked for the Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, owned and operated the Bedford Sanitation Service and worked for the United States Postal Service, retiring in 1981.

He enjoyed dancing and called "Hoe Down" figures.  For 40 years as a member of the Bedford County 4-H Swingers, he enjoyed helping the boys and girls learn Modern Western Square Dancing.  He also enjoyed traveling to Florida, Oklahoma, Colorado and California to visit his children, grandchildren and other relatives.  Skimmer was a member of the Retired American Postal Workers Association and a member of the Bedford American Legion Post #113 for 45 years.  As a lifetime volunteer, he has donated over 12 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross over the years.

A funeral service will be held at Louis Geisel Funeral Home, Bedford at 11:00 AM on September 29th, 2014 with Pastor Jenny Barnes & Rev. Paul Claycomb officiating.

Military honors will be accorded by the Fort Bedford Honor Guard.

Interment will be held at Bedford County Memorial Park.

Friends are invited to call on Sunday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at the funeral home in Bedford.

Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's choice of charity.

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