Eric William "Bill" Skouby

Eric William "Bill" Skouby, 78, of Iberia, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, at Barone Alzheimer's Care Center in Nevada. He was born in Hadley, on June 11, 1934, son of the late Charles I. and Margaret (Cassel) Skouby. On June 14, 1959, Bill married Brenda Lee Woodruff, who survives at their home.

Bill joined the United States Army on May 13, 1953, serving in Korea until his honorable discharge on Feb. 17, 1955.

Above all Bill was an educator. Using the GI Bill, he started his education at Rolla School of Mines (now Missouri S&T) in Rolla before deciding that teaching was going to be his career. After receiving his bachelor's in science and his Master of Arts from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, he taught math in Levenworth, Kan., math and science in Knob Noster, and math at Linn Technical College in Linn. The family then moved to Stillwater, Okla., so Bill could pursue a Master of Science and a doctorate degree in higher education. Bill served as director of career education at North Eastern Community College in Tonkawa, Okla., and also at Columbia State Community College, where he started the veterinary medicine and radiology technology programs. A move back to Missouri came in 1979 when Bill accepted a job as the maintenance supervisor at East Central College in Union, but his first love was always teaching. He started to occasionally teach a math class and his career ended full circle, doing what he loved the most and that was teaching math full time.

Bill and Brenda retired in 1998 and bought a small farm in Iberia and he immediately continued his education at Linn Tech, taking a machine tool and die class.

Bill was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, serving in many leadership positions over his lifetime. His faith was strong and he has passed that along to his children. Bill was a member of the Lions Club International for 50 years and he loved attending auctions.

He is also survived by two daughters, Erica Skouby of Nevada and Linda Skouby of Weston; one son, Earnest Skouby and wife, Jean, of Holts Summit; one brother, Jacob Richard Skouby and wife, Ordith, of Vienna; three sisters-in-law, Yvonne Skouby, Mary Ann Skouby, and Susie Skouby; two grandchildren, Amelia Skouby and Ali Skouby; 21 nieces and nephews; 46 great-nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Charles Iver Skouby, Anton Paul Skouby, Marion Carroll Skouby, and Alan Douglas Skouby; one sister, Mary Mildred Skouby; one sister-in-law, Marian Skouby; and one nephew, Eric Allen Skouby.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m., with services immediately following at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Sept. 22, at Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in Iberia. The Rev. Ron Orr will officiate. Interment will be in High Gate Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Iberia Lions Club or the United Methodist Church.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.fancher-rekusfuneralhomes.com.