We regret to advise of the death of Corporal William A. “Bill” Duncan (Ret’d), peacefully, in his 101st year on 4 February 2019 at Victoria Hospice in Victoria, BC.
Born in Tofield, AB, Bill’s family moved to Lethbridge and Blairmore, AB before settling in Victoria, BC in 1937. Bill enlisted for WW II In 1940 and joined the 5th British Columbia Coast Brigade, Royal Canadian Artillery. He served two years as a Gunner defending the Esquimalt naval base before going on to study Aircraft Engineering at the Brisbane Aviation School in Vancouver in 1942. Bill then enrolled in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals in 1943. Later that year he was transferred to the Pioneer Battalion, Royal Canadian Engineers and he completed his service in August 1945 as a Corporal at the Little Mountain base in Vancouver, BC.
After five years of army service, Bill joined Griffiths & Jones Trucking as a heavy-duty mechanic and driver at age 27. He worked for them for some 32 years and retired in 1977. Bill loved automobiles, loved to travel, built his own motorhome, was a carpenter and model car enthusiast.
At Bill’s request there will be no funeral service. His wish was to be cremated and flowers are gratefully declined. Donations can be made to Victoria Hospice. Online condolences can be sent to the Legacy site.
