William Duke

William Benjamin Duke "Ben" OCEAN ISLE BEACH - William Benjamin "Ben" Duke, 87, passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2013, at Vidant Inpatient Hospice in Greenville. Ben was born in Wayne County on January 5, 1926 to the late Oscar Gordon Duke and Irene Hough Wade Duke. He was married to the late Ruth Daly Duke. Ben served his country in the United States Navy during World War II on the beaches of Normandy. Ben lived a life of dedication to his family and friends, and to his community. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he served as a salesman on the East Coast. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Shallotte. The family will receive friends Sunday, August 25, 2013 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel. Burial will follow in Willow Dale Cemetery with military honors. Ben is survived by his son, William B. Duke, Jr. and wife Lynn of Goldsboro; daughter, Elizabeth Phillips and husband Dave of Mechanicsville, VA; brother, John Duke of Goldsboro; sister, Anna Duke Parker of Goldsboro; and three grandchildren, Carrie Mowbray of Northampton, MA, Erica Duke and Ethan Duke of Goldsboro. In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Duke was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Jo Anne Williams, formerly of Goldsboro, his brother, Bruce Duke; and his sisters, Katherine Cooper, Dorothy Willis, and Rebecca Daniel. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.