William K. "Bill" Duncan
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William Kyle “Bill” Duncan, 79, of Vesta Dr., West Milford, WV, passed away late Monday evening, April 30, 2007 at the Louis A. Johnson V.A. Medical Center in Clarksburg following a lengthy battle with lung cancer.
Bill was born December 1, 1928, the son of the late William Hayward Duncan and the late Ruth Ellen Swiger Duncan in Clarksburg, WV. His nervous father delivered him at home on a wintry night when a local doctor was delayed.
He graduated from Washington Irving High School, enlisted in the United States Navy at age 17 before the end of World War II, and also later served in the Korean Conflict where he was injured. While in the Navy, Bill served as a Corpsman rendering medical aid and treatment to wounded members of the United States Marine Corps and the Navy. As the Senior Corpsman during Hurricane Hazel in 1954, he acted as defacto doctor for many sailors badly wounded during the storm: suturing wounds, treating burns and stabilizing crushing injuries in a ship that pitched and tossed like a cork. Bill recalled the rivets of the ship “screamed and moaned” as the steel twisted. During the hurricane’s violence, “riding it out, at sea” – while being the only sensible option – nearly cost all hands their lives. Indeed, several members of the crew were washed overboard during Hazel and were lost at sea.
Later on, in the capacity of Corpsman, Bill often participated in United States Government experiments and medical studies. He was one of the first to assist in testing a new device to be used for cooking on submarines: an oven using energy waves instead of oil or gas. The same device would later be refined and become known as the microwave oven, which is now found in nearly every American home. During these years, he also volunteered for experiments involving centrifugal force, supplying data to be used in jet aircraft and the space program.
Between enlistments, Bill came home to Clarksburg and while visiting his grandfather, H.H. Duncan, in his real estate office, looked out the window and saw a beautiful woman, walking down the street below. He called his grandfather to the window and pointed to her saying, “Granddad, do you see that girl? That’s the girl I’m going to marry.” His grandfather asked him who she was and Bill replied, “I don’t know her name, yet. But I know that’s the one.” Her name was Norma Lee Romine, and indeed he did marry her after a whirlwind six-week romance on March 28, 1948. Norma was the love of his life and his traveling partner for almost 55 years before her passing on February 21, 2003. Together, they roamed the world and had many wonderful adventures, eventually settling down to domestic life in West Milford, WV.
After Bill’s naval service ended, he worked briefly as a pharmaceutical representative and later took his place in the family real estate business in Clarksburg. He was a well-known Real Estate Agent and broker for Duncan Real Estate and Insurance Company for over 30 years and was widely recognized for his professionalism and integrity. He was the third of four generations who continuously worked in the real estate field. As a member of the oldest real estate company in West Virginia, he was chosen to handle Lord Snowden’s real estate interests in this state. He felt very honored to have been chosen by the Royal House of Windsor to act as an agent on their behalf.
Bill was a member of many real estate boards in his lifetime, including a current appointment by the Harrison County Commission. Most recently he served as a member who authorized the building of the new Recreation Center/4-H Complex on Rt. 19.
He attended Salem College, was a member of the V.F.W., a past member of the American Legion, Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, an Admiral in the Cherry River Navy and an honorary graduate of the School of Hard Knocks. He was proud of his Scottish Heritage and was one of the first Charter Members of the Scottish Heritage Society of North Central West Virginia.
As a past Mayor of the town of West Milford, he was instrumental in acquiring the old Garden Fresh building and helping the town legally retain it so that it could later be developed into a City Building. This was later accomplished under the excellent mayorship of the late Roy Don Smith and the many fine members of the West Milford City Council who served with him. Through their combined efforts, a community center/ educational and health center/recreation facility was created that is arguably the finest in the state of West Virginia.
In addition to his parents and precious wife, Bill was preceded in death by one very special brother, Cmdr. Richard Duncan of the Washington, D.C. / Maryland area.
He leaves to cherish his memory one daughter and son-in-law, Ammie Kathleen “Kathy” Curry and her husband Dr. Steven Curry of Mt. Clare; as well as two much loved grandsons, John H. Curry, IV of Morgantown and William R. Curry of Mt. Clare. He is also survived by one well-loved sister and brother-in-law, Betty J. Duncan Orr and her husband Robert of Bridgeport; one well-loved brother and sister-in-law James H. Duncan and his wife Cassandra of also of Bridgeport; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Mary Edith Duncan of Catonsville, MD, one sister-in-law and her husband, Mrs. Irene Paugh and her husband Howard of West Milford; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, along with several very dear to his heart cousins and close friends.
A Christian who was saved in his twenties, Bill was a longtime supporter of churches of various creeds. He was a friend to many preachers, pastors and priests; and, although reared as a Methodist, also happily attended Baptist churches and worshiped in non-denominational churches throughout his lifetime. His last pastor friend was Reverend Rodney Heckert of the Mt. Clare United Methodist Church, who provided Bill with spiritual comfort at the end of his life.
Bill’s last wish was to be cremated and to have his ashes mixed with those of his beloved wife, Norma. He asked that their ashes be scattered at sea at their favorite place in South Carolina, where some of their happiest memories were made. There will be no public viewing or memorial service, but a private service will be held in South Carolina at a later date.
For all of Bill’s family and friends who wish to do something to honor him, the family asks that your favorite charity be supported with a contribution made in his memory, or that a simple, random act of kindness be conferred upon another fellow traveler in this life. Bill was a generous man and would want others to remember him by being generous too.
Bill’s family wishes to thank the wonderful friends who came by to visit during his illness. Your kindness will never be forgotten. They also wish to give special thanks to the nurses and staff of the Louis A. Johnson V.A. Medical Center Hospice Unit (6th floor) in Clarksburg who loved Bill, and lovingly cared for him for six weeks. Their level of professionalism and goodness cannot be measured or described; and no words exist that can fully express the appreciation of Bill’s family.
As with Norma Lee, the family of William K. “Bill” Duncan has entrusted the care of their loved one to their friends at Burnside Funeral Home, 607 S. Virginia Ave., Bridgeport.