Mr. and Mrs. Skermer were a husband and wife team on the Barton Survey which was the first highway survey over the Monashee. For several years they operated the Morand Hotel. In 1925 they bought their home and small farm in Lumby from the Bessette Estate, which was the land between Norris Avenue and Quesnel Road. For many years they operated a small dairy farm.

After retiring from his work at the Post Office, he moved to a small ranch in the Coldstream area where he continued to work with horses until ill health relegated him to a wheelchair. William suffered two strokes and spent over one and a half years in and out of hospitals, but never lost his cheerful attitude. On October 16, 1969, he passed away peacefully and was buried in the Lumby cemetary with full legion honors.