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
My sincere sympathy for your loss. I have not seen Dr. Duke for many years but his name still comes up many times at Alberta Education. Many of us remember him as a very kind, sincere man who listened and cared. He was respected by all of us.
He will be sadly missed but our memories of him will live forever.
Dear Duke Family.
May all the great years and fond memories give you strength during this very difficult time.
Although no words can really help ease the loss, just know that you are very close in our thoughts and prayers.
dear Janice and all the family
please accept my deepest sympathy,I know you will all miss him terribly.
Since first meeting Bill and Janice in High Prarie we have kept in contact with visits to NZ and my visits to Edmonton and Victoria. I was always made to feel part of the family with the exception of Goldie!
He had a place in my heart with his genuine kindness, generosity and wicked sense of humour.
Arohanui Bill, Lyn
Dear Janice and family
I was very saddened to hear of Bill’s death. I have always thought of him as a mentor even though I was only there for Grade 11 when he was principal in Edgerton. I often wonder why I didn’t stay for Grade 12 after I knew that Edgerton had returned to having a great principal at the helm. For some reason I was destined to attend Red Deer composite in my brother’s footsteps. I remember my visits to Delbourne in ’62-63, while covering my area for the Red Deer Dept of Public Welfare office. Although our contact was minimal after I returned from McGill and started my career in social work, he was always in my mind as a mentor. When I think of great teachers, I always return to Edgerton – GC Welsh, John Ronjom and Bill Duke. They were the best.
Many special thoughts are sent your way as you celebrate his life.
Dick Ramsay
Our deepest sympathies and regrets. May he rest in peace.
Dear Jan and Family,
Your friendships have been such an important part of our life and we’ll remember with fondness and love our time spent with Bill. He had a knack for making you feel like part of the family for sure. We always enjoyed his nostalgic storys or conversation about current events.
We’ll miss his easy style, quick smile and generous spirit . But without doubt, Bill will continue to be part of the Hastings folklore and campfire stories because that’s how we show our love here at the lake, we talk about you forever.
With love, Kelly & Jim
Hastings Lake, AB
My heart goes out to you and the family, Janice. Even those of us who have not had a lot of recent contact with Bill will miss him dearly.
I will always remember my days in the Alberta Dept of Education, where John Myroon, Gerry Hawley, and others, worked with Bill Duke on various projects. Prior to that I enjoyed being on a Master’s program at the University of Alberta at the same time as Bill was completing his Ph.D. in Educational Administration.
Bill’s kindness and thoughtfulness and care for one and all are legendary. It is amazing to me that he could be so respectful to everyone, “high” and “low” alike.
I said to Bill one day, “You are the only person I know who combines many usually separate traits. You are both very intelligent and very practical; you have both organizational skills and people skills; you have both political skills and business acumen; you have both vision and day-to-day reality knowledge; you both lead and follow, whether it be in relation to your organizational superiors or your subordinates; you care for people in both a professional way and a personal way; you are both a scholar and handyman.”
Bill nodded humbly. I think he was pleased.
Bill, I salute you!
J. Collins Meek, Ph.D.
Educator and Health Researcher
Sherwood Park, Alberta
Dear Janice and family, I can’t believe that Bill is gone from us.
Bill and I spent a lot of good times in Rosedale when we were kids.
I’ll miss your visits and I’m truly sorry that I didn’t come to visit him in Victoria.
So Long my dear buddy and I hope we get to spend some time together again some day. Adios mi querido amigo.
Bill Memo) Marusy
Dear Jan and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. You will all be in our prayers as you spend this special time of year without Bill.
Sincerely, Bruce and Carole Thom
My sincere sympathy to Janice and the family. I was never one of Bill’s students but I wish I had been a student at Delburne School when he was Principal. I met him when I came home for Christmas from the University of Saskatchewan in 1959. He took an interest in everyone, even students at the school before his time.
After I was ordained and posted to a Lethbridge Church as Assistant Priest Bill’s office was across the street. I would go and visit with him. We formed a lifetime friendship. I spoke at the church service at a Delburne School reunion a few years ago. He complimented me on becoming Anglican Bishop of Saskatoon. I appreciated his kindness, but his interest in me over many years was typical of Bill.
At the reunion many students spoke about the influence Bill had on them and his part in helping them to achieve success. I recall that several of them became teachers because of Bill’s example.
I am one of those who will miss Bill.
Rod Andrews
The Right Rev. Rodney Andrews, D.D.
Anglican Bishop of Saskatoon (Retired)