The Roanoke Times | File 2007

William E. Skelton (right) appears with his wife, Margaret, in this 2007 photo at the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center, which was named in their honor. Skelton died on August 30, 2008, after a yearlong battle with cancer.

• Sign the guest book for William E. Skelton

A former Virginia Tech dean who was involved with the university for more than 70 years died Saturday morning after a yearlong battle with cancer.

William Skelton was 89.

Friends and family remembered Skelton as a man who dedicated his life to community service, not just locally, but nationally and internationally. In 1983-84, he served as president of Rotary International.

"With Dad it has always been about service to others," said Jean Montague, Skelton's daughter. "He's just dedicated his whole life to that."

Virginia Tech President Charles Steger called Skelton a "role model" and a man who knew how to accomplish a project.

"Bill Skelton was a close friend of mine for many, many years," Steger said. "I was always impressed with his commitment to the university and to the surrounding community. ... He really was a selfless volunteer. And he combined that dedication and enthusiasm with considerable skill."

A 1940 graduate of Virginia Tech, Skelton began his career as director of 4-H programs and the Virginia Cooperative Extension.

He retired from Tech in 1979 as dean of the Extension division at Virginia Tech.

He led the effort to build an alumni conference center at Virginia Tech, overseeing the planning, design and fundraising for the $45 million center. The complex was named the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center after Skelton and his wife, Margaret.

Skelton was a staunch supporter of Virginia Tech athletics. The Skelton Award for Academic Excellence in Athletics is awarded annually to a male and female at the spring Athletic Director's Honors Breakfast.

Jim Weaver, Tech's athletic director, said that those in athletics knew Skelton well.

"He's a person who really cared and loved the university and really epitomized the motto of Ut Prosim, 'That I may serve,' " Weaver said. "I can't think of anyone who's given more of himself or herself to the university than Dr. Bill Skelton.

"He and his wife were fans of all of our sports teams. He's a gentleman that's going to be greatly missed by the constituency of Virginia Tech."

His dedication to community didn't just apply to his alma mater.

Montague said her father was equally devoted to 4-H, Rotary and his church, Blacksburg Baptist. She also said he was very patriotic.

"He's very proud to have served in the army during World War II," she said.

In September 2004, the Smith Mountain Lake 4-H educational center was renamed the W.E. Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center in honor of Skelton. Skelton served on the center's board of directors for about three decades.

He first became involved in 4-H growing up in Dinwiddie County, where he was born Jan. 10, 1919.

During his tenure as president of Rotary International, Skelton chose the theme: "Share Rotary -- Serve People." Also under his leadership, 714 new clubs were formed worldwide, the most added in one year, according to a 2005 book.

He was a member of the local Christiansburg-Blacksburg Rotary Club, and was often the go-to person when other members had questions about how to accomplish a project, said Janet Johnson, a member of the club.

A Rotary scholarship named for Skelton is among the many Rotary legacies that Johnson said Skelton leaves behind.

The scholarship funds an international exchange experience for students.

"Because of him, we are able to sponsor three of those a year," she said. "His interest and his commitment to students and building international good will is a major thing in his legacy. ... I have learned from him, that first of all, there is so much that can be done. So much in service to the community and the international community."

Sports editor Jeff Gilbert contributed to this report.