William Thomas "Bill" Duncan Sr.

William Thomas Duncan, Sr., 83, passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2015. A native of Buncombe County, NC, Mr. Duncan was a resident of Kennesaw, GA. A Memorial Service will be held 4:00 p.m. Friday at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta. Whether you knew him as "Tommy" or "Bill," or "Mr. Bill," you knew him as a man of kindness, integrity, strength and graciousness. He was, indeed, a man of few words, but those words were carefully chosen, direct and to the point. He was wise and thoughtful and often saw the irony or humor in situations. He never missed an opportunity to exercise his considerable wit. He loved and cared deeply about all the people in his life and showed that love in his own way. Whether you were a new acquaintance or a dear friend, you got the same generosity of Duncan spirit and hospitality. A veteran of the Korean War and Viet Nam conflict, he retired from the United States Air Force at the rank of E-9, Chief Master Sergeant. His years in service to his country taught him discipline, duty and a love for this great country. He continued that service, spending more than 20 years with the Federal Aviation Administration, most recently as the manager of the Flight Standards District Office in Atlanta, GA, from which he also retired. Not content to be idle, he then started his own aviation consulting company, Worldwide Aviation. He loved airplanes and the freedom associated with them. He loved his work and could proudly tell you every detail about the mechanical operations of any airplane he had ever worked with. He knew the work he did was important and he never took that responsibility lightly. He dearly loved his family and close friends. He was always interested in the events and achievements of his children, grandchildren, siblings, and children of his loving companion, Pat Hobby. Oh, and just about everyone else, too. He dearly loved his homestead by the lake that he created with his own hands. The place he called home was lovingly tended and shaped into a beautiful and gracious home and grounds, where family and friends were always welcome. If you didn't find him in the house (often watching/arguing with Fox News), you would find him on his tractor or some other machine, taking care of outside chores. Survivors include siblings Roy Duncan, Marie Sanford Joe Duncan, Linda Duncan Bowyer and Norma Duncan Roberson, of North Carolina. He is also survived by children Donna Duncan Fishel (Craig), of Springfield, MO; William Thomas Duncan, Jr. (Spring), of Woodbridge, Va, their mother Betty J. Duncan of Marietta; children Beth Duncan (Chandra), of Woodstock, Ga, and Chuck Earp (Suzanne) of Marietta, Ga; his loving companion Pat Hobby and her family; four grandchildren William Thomas Duncan, III, Wade Duncan, Lyndie Fishel and Maggie Duncan; two great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and many close friends and loved ones he considered family. He is preceded in death by Jeannie Elizabeth Duncan, mother of Chuck and Beth. He was truly a loving father, brother, uncle, companion and friend and will be sorely missed by all. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project, 3343 Peachtree Road, NE #M20, Atlanta, GA 30326. Family will receive friends 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Friday prior to the service at the funeral home. www.mayeswarddobbins.com 770-428-1511

William Thomas "Bill" Duncan Sr.

February 18, 1932 - April 29, 2015