LTCDR William R. Duke Jr.

DUKE, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER WILLIAM RODWELL, JR. (RET) Lieutenant Commander William Rodwell Duke, Jr. (Ret) of Birmingham, passed away at his home on June 22, 2009 surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was born July 28, 1934. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, William R. Duke, Sr. and Louise Taylor Duke; his brother, David and sister Kay Wisener. He is survived by Edine, his loving wife of 53 years, a son, William E. (Alison), daughter, Suzanne Hartsfield (Charles) and grandchildren, Abigail and Dale Duke; brother, Edwin Taylor (Nellie); sisters, Mary Louise Wegener, Betsy Custer (Ray) and Evelyn Kirsch (Clem).

A native of Birmingham, Bill grew up in the area now known as Altadena Valley. He attended Shades Valley High School. Commander Duke received his commission as a Line Officer in 1963 and attended Navy Pre-Flight School. He attended numerous photographic schools, both military and civilian. His duty assignments were all in the field of photography, Photographic Reconnaissance and Photographic Intelligence. He was the Commanding Officer of several combat camera groups and combat motion picture teams in Europe, the Caribbean and South East Asia. Bill and his team traveled throughout Vietnam photographing the war for television news viewing by the folks back home. Bill was a perpetual student. He studied Photographic Science at Rochester Institute of Technology and received his B.A. Degree in Cinema from the University of Southern California. He earned Masters Degrees in Education, Speech, Theatre and Mass Communications from the University of Montevallo. Bill earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree from the Cumberland Law School at Samford University. Following retirement from the Navy he was a Professor of Mass Communications at the University of Montevallo; a homebuilder and land developer; and enjoyed traveling the country in his motor home along with his wife. His latest endeavor was planting and nurturing his many roses. Bill was a member of The Alabama Bar Association, the Masons Scottish Rite and Zamora Shrine as well as the Birmingham Rose Society.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 24th from 5-7 p.m. at Ridout's Valley Chapel. Graveside Services with military honors will be at Acton Memorial Cemetery on Thursday, June 25th at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Joe Slane officiating. Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (879-3401).