William E. "Gene" Durrant Sr.

DURRANT William E. "Gene" Durrant, Sr., died peacefully Saturday evening, December 13, 2008 at Friendship Village Health Center surrounded by loving family. He is now at home with His Lord, Jesus. Gene was born in Westerville, Ohio on March 8, 1918 to Bronson A. Durrant and Edna Hall Durrant. Married Nathalie Marie Smith, daughter of Dr. Edward E. and Leantha H. Smith, on December 19, 1941 67 years ago this Friday. What a wonderful and precious love they have had for each other. Gene and Nathalie raised their family in Columbus, Ohio, living for over 50 years in Canterbury Village, in Upper Arlington. Gene graduated from Upper Arlington High School and the Ohio State University where he played on the golf team and was a member of the SAE Fraternity. He served as a pilot instructor in Lubbock, Texas during WWII. Gene was a boater, serving as Commander of the Columbus Power Squadron in 1970, and traveled many years with Nathalie in their airstream trailer. Gene and Nathalie were founding and very active members of Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, which was the center of their lives. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jack Durrant and sister Jane McElree. He is survived by his loving wife, Nathalie; sister, June Boger, Rock Hill, South Carolina; 2 sons, William E. "Bill" Durrant, Jr., and his wife, Donna, Columbus, Ohio and Charles E. Durrant and his wife, Terry, Anthem, Arizona; 4 grandchildren, Deverre Lierman (Scott) of Cary, North Carolina, Deanna Conti (Chris), Lori Cardamone (Joe), BJ Durrant (Tracey), all of the Columbus area; 9 great-grandchildren, Lexi and Abby Lierman, Hope, Faith, Marcello, Mario and Sophia Cardamone; Ashleigh Sieber-Durrant and baby boy Durrant, due to arrive March 12, 2009; and many wonderful nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Rd., Upper Arlington. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, 2300 Lytham Rd., Upper Arlington, Ohio, 43220, where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Rev. Paul Ulring officiating. Burial will follow at Green Lawn Cemetery with military honors performed by the U.S. Air Force. A reception will follow the graveside service at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gene's memory to Upper Arlington Lutheran Church. Visit www.schoedinger.com to send online condolences to the family.