Cover photo for William Skewes's Obituary
1945 William 2022

William Skewes

February 13, 1945 — September 11, 2022

William F. (“Bill”) Skewes was born in Luverne, Minnesota on February 13, 1945, He passed away September 11, 2022, at his home with his wife Anne by his side.

Beginning in high school, Bill was very active throughout his life. Bill attended Boy’s State, was a member of the National Honor Society, class salutatorian, student body President, and Vice President of the Minnesota State Student Council Association. He received state awards for public speaking, debate, and vocal solos.  He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1967 with a BA, cum laude, in history, political science and economics, having served in the Student Senate and as an officer of the Chi Psi Fraternity. He graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1970 with a Juris Doctor degree and as a Stone’s Scholar. From 1970 to 1972 he served as Minnesota Special Assistant Attorney General for Taxation, after which he joined the Denver law firm of Lee, Bryans, Kelly, and Stansfield (later to become Kelly, Stansfield, and O’Donnell), being made a partner in January of 1977. Bill left the firm as a senior partner in 1988 to open a solo practice. He was a Martindale-Hubbell AV rated attorney since age 31.

He was admitted to practice in the States of Minnesota and Colorado; before federal courts in both states; before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals; the United States Tax Court and the United States Supreme Court.

Among legal associations Bill has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Colorado Association of Corporate Counsel (President in 1981) and the American Association of Corporate Counsel, Denver Chapter. He also served on the Colorado Bar Association’s Corporate Code Revision Committee (1980's and 1990's).

Bill served as a member of the Board of Directors of Credo Petroleum Corporation, a publicly held oil and gas exploration and production company, (1980 through 2012), as well as its subsidiaries, United Oil Corporation (1984 through 2012) and Seco Energy Corporation (1985 through 2012). He also served on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Public Expenditures Council, the Evergreen Center for the Arts, the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce (Chairman in 1996), Bear Creek Rodeo Association and the Evergreen Rotary Club. In 2001 he helped found the Mountain Foothills Rotary Club serving as its Charter President. From 2001 to 2003, Bill served as the Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. From 1978 through 1990 he was a personal advisor to United States Senator Rudy Boschwitz (R-Minn.).

Bill was a third generation Freemason (from age 21). Bill’s father and both of his grandfathers were Freemasons and his son, Wiley, is also a Freemason. Bill was raised as a Master Mason in Luverne at Ben Franklin Lodge #114, A.F & A.M.

Bill was also a York Rite Mason (Knights Templar), a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of the El Jebel Shriners. He was a member of four masonic Lodges. Bill was a Past Master at Idaho Springs Lodge #26, and Central (City) Lodge #6. Bill was knighted in the Royal Order of Scotland on July 29, 2017.

Bill was an instrument rated private pilot, an avid downhill skier, scuba diver, and woodworker.

One of the highlights of Bill’s life was the time spent with his children; skiing in Vail and Whistler-Blackcomb, exploring New York City with the spectacle of Broadway shows, enjoying the beaches of Hawaii, canoeing the Border Waters of Northern Minnesota, fly fishing, and most importantly watching them grow from precocious children to remarkable adults with their own families.

Bill and his wife Anne spent many wonderful times together skiing, scuba diving, enjoying the company of friends, and traveling around the world and the United States.  Bill enjoyed his many times in France and Italy with Anne being his tour guide.  Their 16 years of marriage was a blessing to both.

Bill is survived by second his wife, Anne Stucker Buzbee Skewes; his first wife, Kathleen Hogan of Evergreen; his sister, Mary S. Fisher of Greensboro, N.C.; as well as three children, Michelle (Matt) Mason of Greensboro, N.C., Elizabeth B. (Dave Joyce) Skewes of Pueblo, Colorado, and Wiley Boulden (Karissa Underwood) Skewes of Denver, Colorado; and two grandchildren, Ellen and Walter Joyce.  The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the palliative care group and Mt. Evans Hospice who helped Bill throughout the summer.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on October 22nd at Hiwan Golf Club, 30671 Club House Lane, Evergreen, CO.  A memorial service and reception will be held at 4:00 p.m. on October 22nd at The Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 1370 Grant Street, Denver, CO.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Scottish Rite Masonic Center in the following ways:

Scottish Rite Masonic Center - Electronic Credit Card

https://centennial-lodge-of-perfection.square.site/

Scottish Rite Masonic Center – Check by Mail

Payee: Scottish Rite Masonic Center

1370 Grant Street

Denver, CO 80203

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Skewes, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Celebration of Life

Saturday, October 22, 2022

10:00am - 1:00 pm (Mountain (no DST) time)

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Memorial Service

Saturday, October 22, 2022

Starts at 4:00 pm (Mountain (no DST) time)

Scottish Rite Masonic Center

, Denver, CO 80203

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