Billy G. Sketers, 85, a lifelong Parsons resident, went to be with his Lord and Savior at 4:45 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2011, at the Presbyterian Manor in Parsons following a brief illness.

He was born on Nov. 29, 1925, at Parsons to Roy Curtis and Mabel Gertrude (Plummer) Sketers. He grew up at Parsons and attended Parsons schools, graduating from Parsons High School.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1944 to 1946. He was stationed on the USS Warfield off the coast of France at Omaha Beach.

He returned to Parsons, where he worked at the Katy Railroad for a few years before working at the rock quarry south of Parsons, the Census Bureau and at Farrell’s grocery store before returning to the Katy, where he worked until his retirement in 1981. In his retirement, he drove a school bus for USD 506 and loved to help his friends and neighbors with any projects.

He married Jane Hall on Sept. 29, 1947, at Oswego. She survives of the Presbyterian Manor.

He was an active and faithful member of First Assembly of God Church in Parsons, where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher and assisted with church maintenance. He also was a member of Brown-Bishop Post No. 704 VFW.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Michael Sketers of Gardner; a daughter, Linda (Sketers) Wegner, and her husband, Roger, of Parsons; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a sister, Virginia Kabrey of Parsons.

He was preceded in death by a son, Billy Wayne Sketers, on Aug. 31, 2001; four brothers; and a sister.

The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Assembly of God Church. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery with military honors conducted by Brown-Bishop Post No. 704 VFW. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home.

Memorials are suggested to First Assembly of God Church and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home 112 N. 26th St., P.O. Box 942, Parsons, 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.