Bennie Duane Skelton

Healdton - Bennie Duane Skelton, 72 of Healdton, Ok went to his Heavenly Home on January 15, 2021 at Mercy Memorial in Ardmore, OK. A celebration of Life will be held at Alexander Gray Funeral Home Chapel at Healdton, OK on Thursday, January 21st at 2:00 P.M. with Kenney Shaver officiating and Bro. John Spradlin assisting. Interment will follow to Mount Olive Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 20th at Alexander Gray Funeral Home in Healdton, OK from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. Memories and photos may be shared online at www.alexanderfuneralhome.org.

Bennie Duane Skelton was born at Levelland, Texas on November 30, 1948 to Mollie Elizabeth Chambers and Doggie Barnett Skelton "D.B". He was raised in Healdton, OK graduating from Healdton High School in 1967. Bennie was then drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War and served honorably for two years as a medic.

Bennie worked for Letcher Edwards as a bulldozer operator in the mid 70's to early 80's. He then worked for Brady Welding as a dozer operator and then went on to work for Total in 1992 (which is now Gulf Mark) hauling crude oil where he was presently employed. Bennie married Joyce Brecheen, the love of his life on November 16, 1980 at her parents home in Milo, OK. He loved Joyce from the moment he met her. He paid a waitress, Vivian Smith five dollars to take notes to her when he would come into Opal's Cafe to eat breakfast. (Many of these notes that were written on cafe ticket books Joyce still has and treasures). He always sent flowers just to get to go out with him. Between all the love letters and roses he finally won her heart. He promised Joyce he was a faithful man, would be a loving husband and work hard to make her a living.
They made their life together for 40 years in Healdton, OK. In this union Thomas (Tommy) Skelton was born and seven years later William (Willy) Skelton.

Bennie was baptized at First Missionary Baptist Church in Healdton, OK by Bro. Lindsey. Bennie asked John Purdue to be a witness to his baptism. John told Bennie I thought you were already baptized because that is just the kind of man Bennie was. Honest, never lied to you, loved his wife, being a husband and father were the most important to him along with his baby boy Ace, his dog. A poodle that loved him back unconditionally, always greeting him at the door when he came in from work.

Bennie loved his brother, Wayne. Anytime spent with him was a blessing, they loved going to tractor shows together and spending time together working on farm equipment. When Bennie got in a bind he knew he could always call on Josh Glenn, his best friend JC Awtrey and other friends, Mary and Teddy Burden. Many times he would ask Joyce to smoke ribs to take to Josh. Bennie wore Joyce out always asking her to make a pie or cook for someone. The people on the receiving end were always so thankful for her cooking!

Bennie was loved by all, never met a stranger. He will be missed dearly by all who knew him, especially the girls at Healdton family Center (Kim, Ellen and Sonya). Most important to Bennie was his family, being loyal, hard working father and friend to all and especially a faithful servant of the Lord. He was a member of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Ringling, OK.

His hobbies included carpentry and he loved being on a tractor farming and working at home. Bennie loved putting out flags at the cemetery at Healdton and was proud to help upkeep graves, he was a patriot. He was a scout master for many years in Boy Scouts and was a member of the American Legion Post 203.

Preceding him in death are his parents; brother John Skelton and sister, Imogene Waller.

Bennie is survived by his loving wife, Joyce of the home; sons, Thomas Skelton of the home and William Skelton and girlfriend Flora Knight of Ada; brother, Wayne "Bubba" Skelton of Oil City; nephew, Harrell Steele of Dean, TX; cousins, Janet Skelton of Woodford, Joe Skelton of Healdton and Jerry Gordon of Healdton; and by a host of other family and friends.

Pallbearers will be Gary Keck, Randy Freeman, Chris Keck, Phillip Keck, Jason Freeman, and Charles Freeman. Honorary bearers will be Josh Glenn, Mike Brady, Coffee Shop Drinkers at Okie's, Art Timmons, Mike McKee, Timothy Keck and Jimmy Chatham.