Bedford, NH - James William Skillings, a long-time resident of Andover, Mass., Vero Beach, Fla., Naples, Maine, and Bedford, N.H., passed away in Bedford on March 14. He was 86 years old.

Born in Sharon, Mass., on January 14, 1932, to Carleton and Doris (Rydin) Skillings, Jim lived in Methuen, Mass. Following the death of his mother at a young age, he was lovingly raised was by Carleton and Barbara (Anderson) Skillings. He went on to obtain a B.A. in Bacteriology from the University of New Hampshire in 1953. After graduation, Jim served proudly as a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Following his military service, he went on to study dentistry at the McGill University Dental School in Montreal, Quebec. While in Montreal, Jim met the love of his life, Mette, where they became engaged. After graduating from McGill, Jim and Mette married and moved to Andover, Mass., where Jim established a successful dental practice. During his dental career Jim served as a Clinical Instructor in Dentistry at Tufts University and was also a member of the Massachusetts Dental Society; a Fellow of the American College of Dentists; a member of the American Academy of Dental Science; a Fellow of the International College of Dentists and an alumnus of the L.D. Pankey Dental Institute.

Jim was known for his dry humor and valued as a down-to-earth, compassionate person who was always there for anyone who needed help or advice. He was an avid reader, enjoyed being outdoors on the lakes fishing for salmon and an upland bird hunter. Also known for believing most dogs are the only people on earth who can do no wrong, Jim was seldom found without the family’s beloved Gordon Setter, Jazz, by his side. Above all, he enjoyed traveling with Mette and at any time they could be found anywhere, from a simple drive around town, an excursion to the Maine seacoast and lakes or Scandinavia.

Jim is survived by his daughter Anne-Mette Halvorson and her husband Eric Halvorson of Minneapolis, Minn.; son James William Skillings Jr. and his wife Wendy Skillings of Bedford, N.H.; son John Skillings of Charlestown, Mass; his three adoring grandchildren Alex Skillings, Alden Skillings and Lily Halvorson; cousins Lorraine Rydin; Craig and his wife Linda Rydin; John-David and his wife Linda Rydin; Gary and his wife Kathy Rydin; Casey Wolcott, Nancy, Karen and Charles Wolcott; brother-in-law Hans Sundorph and wife Ulla Sundorph; his nephew and niece, Christian Sundorph and Bolette (Sundorph) Andresen ; niece Christine Telting; and many grand nieces and nephews. Last, but not least, his loving and loyal Gordon Setter, Jazz.

The family would like to send their gratitude to the kind and compassionate staff at Amedisys Hospice New Hampshire and Visiting Angels for their steadfast and loving care. They would also like to send their gratitude to the wonderful friends and extended family for being a part of his wonderful life.

Family and friends are invited to gather Saturday, April 14th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH. The funeral service will follow at 12 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers kindly send a donation to Amedisys Hospice Foundation, 3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816. To send a message of condolence to the family, please view the obituary at www.douglasandjohnson.com.