Born in Drumheller, Alberta on December 4, 1933 and passed away December 21, 2010 after battling cancer for 6 years. Survived by his loving wife, Janice of 54 years; his 5 children Sherryl Skaalid (Leiv), Jim Duke (Donna), Lori McKinnon (Bing), Bill Duke (Jeanna), Christine Hollins (Clay); 13 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and sister, Anne Beach; and numerous nieces and nephews.
At age 17, Bill left his home town of Rosedale to attend the University of Alberta where he completed a B.Sc. in 1955, B. Ed in 1956 , M. Ed in 1966 and his Ph.D. in 1970.
He started his career as Principal in Edgerton then moved to Innisfail for one year as principal- designate. The family then relocated to Delburne where Bill was Principal for 4 years. The next career change was as Superintendent of High Prairie School Division and then as High School Inspector in Lethbridge. Bill, Janice and family moved to Edmonton in 1968 where Bill completed his Ph. D. and held various positions with the Department of Education ending his career as Associate Deputy Minister of Education in 1990.
Bill joined Western Management Consultants soon after retirement and came to Victoria for a one-year contract however they remained for the past 15 years where Bill taught at the University of Victoria and Royal Roads.
As a life-long learner Bill presented many workshops all over North America and was a respected educator. Many of his students hold his “Billisms” with fond regard. He will be most remembered as a man who held a genuine interest in all his colleagues, students and friends as he treated everyone with good will and integrity. His sense of humour, intellect and love for animals will be missed.
The Duke family would like to thank special friends: Chris Burke, the DeSorcy’s and Pasini’s as well as Janice’s sorority sisters and neighbours.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on January 8, 2011 at 2:00 pm at OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 798 Goldstream Avenue, Langford.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Victoria Hospice, Richmond Pavilion 1952 Bay St. Victoria BC V8R 1J8 or www.victoriahospice.org
22 Responses
Janice and members of Bill’s family,
Both Ann and I mourn your loss. Bill was always friendly and filled with good cheer. He had a quick wit and a good heart. We were amazed to see him still attending mass even though he was so obviously quite ill. And despite how he must have been feeling he always bore himself with great dignity and grace. Nor did he complain.
We will remember him and all of you in our prayers
Dear Janice and the Duke family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you remember your husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and most importantly, a friend and mentor. Bill was everyone’s friend as he welcomed all in in his presence with respect , sincerity and interest. I know he will be missed by all of you in so many different ways because of the special relationships he had with all of you. My wish is that the love you experienced together and enduring memories will help sustain you in the difficult days and times ahead.
Lori, I am so glad that I had the chance to visit with him on his last visit to the lake.
With love, Katherine Hildebrand