Della May Skinner

Della May McWilliams Skinner was born April 13, 1939 to Edna and Ira McWilliams in Big Piney, Wyoming. She had two brothers, Ike and Gene.
From a young age Della May proved to have a natural musical talent. She sang and taught herself how to play the guitar.
Her parents were true pioneers and enjoy teaching the children the cowboy way of life. Della May was known for her horsemanship as you put the finishing touches on the horses her brother Ike broke.
Della May met her husband DeRell Skinner while he was working for the forest service. They dated for a year and married when she was 16. She was blessed with two hard-working sons who shared her passion for the outdoors.
She taught them everything from hunting and skinning, cooking, to leather tooling, riding horses, and overall how to work hard and have fun.
Over the years Della May worked at a variety of local businesses including Freedom Arms, Maverick, Star Valley Ranch, and Danas cold storage. Della May was a member of the Thayne EMTs for 18 years and would drop anything to help a stranger or a friend in need.
After her husband passed away, Della May met Kay Schultz while working at Freedom Arms. Their friendship lasted 34 years and it was often said that they were good for each other. Della May‘s family would like to sincerely thank Kay for being such a good companion and friend to her especially the past few years as her health declined.
Della May, Randy Graham, Arlon Gomm, and Louanna Gomm formed their own band “The Goodtimers” and played at local establishments for years. She loved to sing and play the guitar.
Della May could come across as a course or brash woman when you first met her, but if you were lucky enough to get past the wisecracks you would see the kindest woman that ever lived. Her thoughts were always of others. It didn’t matter what life threw at her, she pulled up her boots and made the best of it.
Her last request was to be in the comfort of her own home surrounded by family and friends who loved her. Kay made sure to honor this request and Della May passed peacefully from complications of COPD with family and friends by her side singing, telling touching and funny stories of their life with her.
Della May is survived by her son Dusty (Anona) Skinner, six grandchildren, Nick, Brett, Sahen, Heather, Taylor, Steele, two great grandchildren, and many more nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son Denny, her brother Ike, husband DeRell, parents Edna and Ira. For those that would like to celebrate her life with family and friends, a gathering will take place at the Schwab Funeral home in Thayne, Wyoming from 5 to 7 PM on Saturday, May 18, 2019.
In lieu of flower donations can be made to the Thayne EMTs, PO Box 1564 Thayne, WY 83127