SYLVANIA, Ga. - Cecil Wane Skinner, age 72, died Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at his residence in Sylvania under hospice care. The Screven County native was U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran and a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. He worked in the U.S. Army Engineer Corps from which he retired as a CW3 after 21 years of service in 1975. He served in Europe, Okinawa and several U.S. bases and did two tours in Vietnam, the last as a military advisor and was among the last military personnel to leave Vietnam. He received numerous military honors including the Bronze Star, Instructor of the Year at Ft. Belvoir, VA Engineer School in 1965, Honorary Sea-Bee after serving as an advisor to them in Tan An City, Vietnam and also received Certificate of Appreciation as an engineer advisor from the Province Chief, LeVan Huan in Long An Province in Vietnam. He moved back to his home in Screven County where he farmed until suffering a stroke in 1993. Survivors: Wife: Shelvie Jean Becton Skinner of Sylvania; Daughter and Son-In-Law: Lisa S. and Don Burke of Millen; Son and Daughter-In-Law: Waine and Connie Skinner of Vidalia; Sister: Adell S. Smith of Hopewell, VA; 4 Grandchildren: Jacob Burke and Sara Burke of Millen and Kaitlyn Skinner and Jason Skinner of Sylvania; Several Nieces and Nephews. Visitation: Thursday, March 27, 2008, at 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Funeral services: 11:00 AM on Friday, March 28, 2008 at the Thompson-Strickland-Waters Chapel with Rev. Rudine Becton and Rev. Grady Hargrove officiating. Burial at Millen Cemetery. He will be buried with full military honors. Pallbearers: Military. Honorary Pallbearers: Jerry Rewcastle, James Bragg, Ken Pierce, Earl Burke, Thomas Hughes, Grady Jenkins, Harry McMillan, Wallis Lovett, Ray Parker, Jack Burke, Troy Waters and Toby Bragg. Thompson-Strickland-Waters Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com

The Augusta Chronicle-March 27, 2008