William Abell

William "Skeets" Abell, of Easton, MD, age 76, passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at The Pines in Easton.

Born on November 5, 1933 in Leonardtown, MD, he was the son of the late Charles Richley Abell and Martha Alberta Abell.

He served his country in the US Army, 187th Airborne, seeing combat duty in the Korean War. He was awarded the National Defense Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Combat Medical Badge, Parachutist Badge and the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars.

After his service Skeets completed his education and went on to partner in several undersea treasure explorations with the late Capt. Jack Robinson throughout the Gulf of Mexico and The Bahamas. Their last discovery, published in National Geographic Magazine was near Highbourne Cay, a private island in the Bahamas. During this expedition, Mr. Abell was hired as Highbourne Cay's manager. He served in this capacity for approximately 20 years. Skeets enjoyed fishing for marlin and other offshore game, antiques and coins. He was a dedicated father and grandfather and was well liked by all he met.

He is survived by two sons Eric William Abell of Oxford, MD and Capt. Charles Wesley Abell also of Oxford, MD; three grandchildren William Croft Abell, Miles Anderson Abell and Kelley Rose Abell; his sisters Edna Doerner of Rockville, MD, Elizabeth Brotton of Hurst, TX, Mary Rainey of Sunnyvale, CA, Martha Coates of Hebron, MD, Angela Jarboe of Annapolis, MD, Judy Crowninshield of Pasadena, MD, Linda Fink of Lodi, CA, Margaret Hurson of Davidsonville, MD; his brothers Maurice Abell of Camp Springs, MD, Michael Abell of Williamsburg, VA, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death besides his parents was his sister Phyllis McWilliams; his brothers Richley Abell, Joseph Abell and Benjamin Abell.

A service and celebration of Skeets will be held Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. at the Oxford Firehouse, Morris Street, Oxford, MD.

Cremation was entrusted to Mid Shore Cremation Center, Cambridge.