William Henry Duncan

William Duncan, 93, Carpenter

LAKE WALES -- Mr. William Henry "W.H." Duncan, a retired carpenter for L.M. Martin Construction and an insurance representative for Conger Life, died of heart failure Wednesday (May 24, 2006) at home. He was 93.

His daughter, Diane Jones, described him as a hardworking man who stayed busy all the time.

"When he retired, that still didn't stop him. He still kept working, and at 80 something years old he was working out in the yard. He did whatever he wanted to do," Jones said.

Born in Ozark, Ala., on Dec. 13, 1912, Mr. Duncan came to Lake Wales from there in 1916. He attended Frostproof Elementary and graduated from Frostproof High School. He was a carpenter for L.M. Martin Construction for more than 20 years, and after his retirement, he worked for Conger Life for 15 years.

His daughter described him as a loving, sweet man who always greeted everybody with a smile and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren every chance he got.

He was a longtime member at New Harvest Worship Center, formerly Walker Street Church of God, where he was on the church council for 20 years.

Mr. Duncan was preceded in death by his first wife of more than 50 years, Bethel Lou Duncan, in 1983, and second wife of 20 years, Johnnie M. Duncan, in 2004. In addition to his daughter, Diane Jones, he is survived by his daughters, Jackie Allen, Orlando, and Stephanie Tobar, Lake Wales; sons, Terry Duncan, Winter Haven, Jim Milner, Quitman, Ark., and Gene Milner, Cleveland, Tenn.; brother, John Duncan, Niceville; 18 grandchildren; and 21 greatgrandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Marion Nelson Funeral Home of Lake Wales. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at New Harvest Worship Center. Burial will follow in Silver Hill Cemetery in Frostproof.