Obituaries

Bartley Skinner

A celebration of Bartley Skinner's life will be held early summer at his favorite place - Fort William near Pinedale. The memorial date will be announced at a later date.

Bartley Skinner, 83, passed away on May 21, 2004, in Pinedale after a short but gallant fight with cancer.

He was born in Kuttawa, Ken., on July 26, 1920, to Bartley and Lora Lee Moore Skinner, who chose to have his birth registered in the town founded by his great-grandfather, Governor Charles Anderson. He was baptized in the Presbyterian Church. The family shortly returned to their home in Gilbert, Ariz., and later moved to Phoenix, where Bartley, Jr., attended Kennilworth Elementary School, Phoenix Union High School and Phoenix College.

During World War II, Mr. Skinner served with the U. S. Army Air Force from August 1942 through November 1945.

He began a life-long love affair with Rose Penton of Phoenix when they married on June 1, 1946, in Las Vegas. Together they owned and operated Southwest Tile Contractors for several years in Phoenix, and he enjoyed part-time work as a stagehand for symphony, theater and movie productions as a member of IATSE Stage Employees Local 336.

In the late 60s, they moved to Pinedale and together designed, built and operated Fort William, a unique steak house and bed and breakfast inn about eight miles out of town on Fall Creek. Mr. Skinner cooked many a great steak over an outside grill for locals as well as patrons from around the world as he entertained them with his many stories. The Skinners sold Fort William in 1988 and moved to 242 West Magnolia in Pinedale, where they enjoyed retirement including volunteer and civic duties. His wife, Rose Skinner, is mayor of Pinedale.

Bartley Skinner loved western history and the parts played in its making by many of his ancestors. He had a green thumb and loved trees, plants, flowers and all animals - pets and wildlife. He was a people person who enjoyed socializing with his friends in his small town.

He is survived by his loving wife, Rose; son, William Bartley (Bill) Skinner, and wife, Trudy, of La Barge; two granddaughters, Morgan Skinner Morris and her husband Kelly, and Adriane Skinner, all of Evanston; nephew Steven Cornell and wife Janet of Phoenix; and many other devoted nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Lora Lee Skinner Cornell.

Memorials honoring Bartley Skinner may be sent to the Museum of the Mountain Man, P. O. Box 909, Pinedale, Wyo., 82941, or to Kickin' Cancer in Sublette County, P.O. Box 383, Daniel, Wyo., 83115.