Willie Alvin Skaggs

Willie Alvin Skaggs, 84, peacefully passed away February 20, 2021, at his home in Granbury with his wife of thirty-one years by his side. He was born February 24, 1936, in Gorman, Texas to Byron Bufford Skaggs and Elsie Mae Bunting Skaggs. He married his loving wife, Billye Jean Biggerstaff Skaggs, January 13, 1990, in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Willie was raised in De Leon, moved from Keller to Granbury in 2006, where he lived for the past fifteen years. He was a member of Lakeside Baptist Church of Granbury. He was highly involved in his church and loved to sing and participated in the Kingsman Choir at North Richland Hills Baptist Church of Ft. Worth in the 1970's. As a group of 40 men, they would sing at many churches in the area.

He proudly served in the United States Army having been drafted twice. He was honorably discharged twice as well, once December 4, 1958 to November 22, 1960 and October 10, 1961 to August 6, 1962.

Willie's hobby after retiring in 1991 from General Motors was finding old antique tractors that did not run and restoring them. He belonged to the Glen Rose Antique Tractor and Machinery Club. He enjoyed showing them and participating in the activities around tractors with the club members. He was a great welder or builder of almost anything. He would rather build something than buy it. He loved deep sea fishing, gardening, and going to auctions, cattle, and farm equipment or otherwise.

Willie loved his family very much. He loved his wife's family and took them in as his own. He was known as Dad and Pawpaw to them all. He is survived by his loving wife, Billye Skaggs; daughters, Bonnie Jean Turner (Jay), Elizabeth Ann Skaggs, and Sherry Lynn Skaggs; step-daughter, Diana Sue Norris (Ronald); step daughter-in-law, Cynthia Ann Thrasher; grandchildren, James Ragsdale, Misty McLamore, Sam Ragsdale, Cynthia Turner, Andrew Blair, Sara Parker, Matthew Skaggs, Kellie Neufeld, Danyelle Thrasher, Ron Norris, JR., Becky Dickens, Kristy Johnson, Josh Norris and Chris Wright; twenty-four great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

Willie was preceded in death by his parents, Byron and Elsie Skaggs; brothers, Zollie Skaggs, Albert Skaggs, Bruce Skaggs and Billie Skaggs; sister, Evelyn Mae Wise; and stepson, Michael Glenn Thrasher.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to Ronda Mann, Dr. Jennings, Maria Gomez and Maggie Farar of Elara Hospice Care for taking such good care of Willie the past year. Rachel McCollon from Clear Path Home Care, for the love and care shown to both of us. They grew to love him for his kindness, witty humor, and the stories he would entertain them with.

Graveside funeral services will be held Friday, February 26, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. in De Leon Cemetery with Brother Tim Skaggs officiating and Jamie Skaggs providing music. The Skaggs family will receive friends from 1-2:00 p.m. at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cook Children's Hospital or to the Charity of your choice, in memory of Willie.