William "Bill" Wayne Duncan

It is with heavy hearts our family announces the passing of William Wayne “Bill” Duncan on December 23 at his home after a period of declining health. Bill was 94 years young and the only son born to the late William L. and Verlie Cooper Duncan. He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Gladys Lucas Duncan, and his older sisters, Dorothy Wuellner, Josephine Creswell, and Lou Ellen Gray.

Bill was born on October 3, 1928 in Southport, NC. He grew up in Greensboro, often spending summers at the family’s angus farm in Siler City. A child of the Great Depression, Bill learned the value of hard work, service and generosity which he instilled in his three children. He had a gift of working with numbers and chose accounting as his profession. He served in the U.S. Army at Fort Hood, TX in the 1st Armored Division during the Korean conflict, and then moved to Greensboro to raise his growing family. He took several career transfers with Armour Foods leaving Greensboro for Charlotte and eventually making their home in Raleigh in 1964. Upon early retirement he founded his own company that offered carpentry, residential and commercial painting, as well as consultation for several national fast food chains.

Bill was lovingly known as Bud, Granddaddy, and Grandbud and loved his family. In December 2001 he married Margie (our bonus mom) and lovingly embraced her family. He was a member of St. John’s Baptist Church and served for years as the church treasurer. Bill enjoyed home projects, sharing corny jokes, traveling to all parts of the country, finding opportunities to play practical jokes on family and friends, and Tarheel basketball. In recent years Margie began to describe Bill as being “made of tough stuff.” During his last hospital stay a roomful of family members gathered and were blessed to hear him share love, his favorite scripture and hymn, along with singing and rejoicing.

Bill is remembered by his loving wife, Marjorie Denning Duncan; children Beverly Duncan-Midgett (Russell Midgett), Bob Duncan (Beth), and Darryl Duncan (Ginger); grandchildren Jessica VanTilburg (Todd), Corinne Midgett, Janelle Messer (Cody), Daniel Duncan, Rachel Roberson (Jacob), and Harrison Duncan; great-grandchildren Ava, Elena and Drew Lillis, Siler Messer and his baby sister on the way. Bill is also survived by his younger sister, Mary Grace Duncan Doss (James), and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Meals on Wheels of Wake County at 1001 Blair Drive, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27603.

“Go rest high on that mountain, your work on earth is done.

Go to heaven a-shoutin' love for the Father and the Son.”

Vince Gill