Obituary of William Kenneth Skinnell

William Kenneth Skinnell, 87 of Bedford, passed away Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Oakwood Health & Rehab. Center. He was born on Wednesday, May 2, 1928 in Bedford County, a son of the late James Rush Skinnell and Ethel Wright Skinnell. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Helen Eunice Moore Skinnell and his sisters, Rachel Adams, Louise Greene & Katherine Skinnell. Kenneth joined the U. S. Air Force shortly after his high school graduation and served proudly during the Korean War. After his discharge from the military, he went into sales. Kenneth retired from Rubatex in 1984. He was a member of Quaker Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon & Sunday School teacher. He is survived by his son, Kenneth Skinnell & wife, Gerneda of Bedford; his grandchildren, Justin Skinnell of Applegate, OR; Haley Nechole Welch & her husband, Carl "Butch" of Bedford; David Leach III & his wife, Paulette of Highlands Ranch, CO; Wendy Hirschbond & her husband, Matt of Lakewood, CO; great-grandchildren, Joshua James, Laurryn Olivia, Averie Rose all of Bedford; Kayla & Emma of Lakewood, CO; his brothers, Rush Shinnell & his wife, Ellen, Frank Skinnell & his wife, Helen, Carlton Skinnell & his wife, Viola as well as numerous nieces & nephews. The family requests that those wishing to make memorials to please consider Bedford Christian Ministries, 217 West Washington Street, Bedford, VA 24523. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 11:00 am at Quaker Baptist Church with Rev. David Timma & Rev. Marc Reynolds officiating. Interment will follow in Virginia Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Wednesday, May 4, 2016 from 4 until 7 PM at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.