Mr. William Charles Duckhardt

William Charles "Bill" Duckhardt, 76, passed away Thursday, October 16, 2008. Born December 28, 1931, in Short Pump, Va. He leaves behind his bride of 53 years, Ray Dian Allen Duckhardt; their daughters, Melonie Wood (Fred) and Wendy Zigler; two granddaughters, Tiffany Lynn Luckey (Matthew) and Kara Zigler; great-grandsons, Chad Daniel, David Patrick and Ryan Christopher Luckey; a sister, Rosemary Whittington (Gil); brother, Donald Duckhardt; sister-in-law, Bobbie Garrett (Buddy); and many extended family members and friends. His brother, Richard Duckhardt, and parents, Emil and Rose Duckhardt, predeceased him. Bill graduated from Benedictine High School in Richmond, Va., and was a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in1960. He honorably served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. He started his career at the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the state of Virginia. He moved onto the agriculture division of Mobil Oil and was recruited to run Helena Chemical as the regional manager. Bill created many different products that are still being used today in the agricultural chemical industry. He started a separate division in copper chemicals for CP Chemical Co. and wrapped up his career as vice president of Griffin Corp. Bill was an active member of the National Feed Ingredients Association (NFIA), American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), Cattleman' s Club and many other numerous organizations that serve the agricultural industry. In his spare time, he served as commodore of the Tampa Bay Yacht Club, social chairman of Dana Shores Civic Organization and membership chairman of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. He started the Virginia Tech Hokie Bird for Hunger for Metropolitan Ministries, which is still ongoing today throughout many universities. He was an active, hands-on father and a loving and supportive husband, coach and helper with Girl Scouts and the Tampa Bay Woman's Club. A member of Incarnation Catholic Church, he was a man of deep faith, commitment to God, family and country. While we mourn his passing and loss, we honor his legacy, his mernory and the life he lived.