Billy Gerald Duke

Billy Gerald Duke, age 90, of Mary Esther, Florida, formerly of Granite City, Illinois, passed away February 21, 2021 at Westwood Rehabilitation Center in Ft Walton Beach, Florida. Bill was born May 19, 1930 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the son of Floyd and Della May (Green) Duke.

He married Joan McCormick Pierce on June 20, 1953 in Granite City and she passed away December 24, 2019.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal. He was a member of St. Marys Church in FWB for 45 years. Some of his many interests included fishing, building model airplanes, bowling, going to horse races, doing puzzles, playing horseshoes, NHRA Drag Races and following sports, especially the St. Louis Cardinals. Bill was a baseball, softball, and soccer coach and mentor to many boys through the years. He was also instrumental in starting the first organized city soccer leagues in the Fort Walton Beach area.

He is survived by his children and their spouses, Terry (Dena) Pierce, Kathi Paschall, Eileen (Ed) Kamphoefner, Kevin (Sharon) Duke, Dan (Colleen) Duke, Tom (Lynn) Duke, Mark (Bette) Duke, Richard (Kathy) Duke and Tim (Gina) Duke; his eighteen grandchildren, Ken Wojtowicz, Tracy McMasters, Brian Duke, Jennifer Cochran, Tara Perry, LeeAnn Reyes, Mary Lange, Molly Figgemeier, Bridget Duke, Gina Walford, Christopher Duke, Evan Duke, Alicia Taylor, Maggie Correll, Jessica McCormack, Lauren Duke, Zachary Duke and Meghan Gleneck; and thirty-one great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his beloved wife and parents, Bill was preceded in death by his step-mother, Pearl Duke; sister, Norma Jean Childs; son-in-law, Lee Paschall; and granddaughter Christina Duke.

A celebration of his life with family and friends will be held at a later date. 

To share memories, express condolences and sign the guestbook, please visit www.daviswatkins.com.