Funeral services for Billy Reid Duke, 76, of Monroe, will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, January 21, 2012, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe, with Rev. Warren Eckhardt officiating. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Mausoleum.
Bill born March 18, 1935, passed into his heavenly Father’s arms on January 18, 2012, after a courageous ten-year battle with Alzheimer’s. Bill was born and grew up in Lake Providence where he was an avid sportsman and outstanding athlete. He joined the U.S. Army in 1958, and pitched for the Army’s baseball team in Germany and throughout Europe, where he met his future bride, Sigrid. They were married in 1959, and returned to Monroe after his tour of duty. Bill began a career in the automotive industry, becoming the General Manager of River’s Ford and Courtesy Ford, along with other dealerships in the area. Bill could hardly go anywhere in the community without someone calling out his name and telling him they’d be by for their next vehicle purchase. His love for fishing, hunting and sports continued throughout his life, as many a morning were spent on a lake or in a duck blind with his two sons or friends.
Bill is survived by his wife, Sigrid, and brother, Jarvis, and children, Charlie and wife Rebecca , Karen and husband Michael, David and wife Tonya, and Amy, all of West Monroe, along with his grandchildren, Ashley, Richard, Jason, Jacob, Austin, Blade, twins Matthew & Bryan, Caden, Gabrielle and Gabe.
Bill touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity, and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end.
Friends and family are invited to visitation on Friday, January 20, 2012, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe.
Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com