William Duncan

1939 - 2024

William Millen Duncan, II of Southport, CT, passed away during a beautiful sunrise on the morning of January 23, 2024. The week leading up to his passing he was surrounded by his family. He was born in Toledo, OH, July 25, 1939, to Elizabeth Job Duncan and John Duncan, Jr.

After graduating from Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills, MI, Bill earned his Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy from Trinity College in Hartford, CT, where he was a member of St. Anthony Hall. During this time, he also earned his pilot's license and was an avid flyer for much of his life, including planes, gliders and hot air balloons. His love for flying later morphed into a love of motorcycles, which he rode most of his life, going on extended trips throughout the US and Europe.

Bill had a rewarding career in banking, beginning with Chemical Bank, eventually running their international operations. He left to serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First American Bank of New York for many years. After the sale of that business, he joined JP Morgan Chase, where he was president of their New Jersey subsidiary, among other roles. As an executive he was known as much for mentoring future leaders as he was for his own leadership. After retiring from banking, Bill went on to serve as Director of International Studies at SUNY Stony Brook University. He also served on several corporate boards, including Conair LLC for over a decade.

He raised his family in Greenwich, CT, where he was a resident and supporter of the community for nearly four decades. In 2006, he settled in Southport, CT, and married Peggy, the love of his life.

Bill devoted himself to many community organizations. He served as Treasurer of Trinity Episcopal Church in Southport and Christ Church Greenwich, and as Senior Warden of the latter. He held board member and finance roles at Lighthouse International and Haitian Educational Initiatives.

Bill relished the many social organizations to which he belonged, especially his association with the Northport Point Club in Michigan and his decades at the Belle Haven Club in Greenwich, CT. Sailing was a passion of his, from racing dinghies on Lake Michigan to cruising Long Island Sound and the Atlantic on his Nonsuch, La Baleine. He was an avid and competitive croquet player, pursuing his passion around the world and serving as a board member and treasurer of the United States Croquet Association and founding member of the Greenwich Croquet Club.

Bill was deeply loved by all who knew him. His vibrant mixture of humor, wit, charisma, and deep intelligence were always in the service of an endless kindness towards others. His first grade teacher noted, "Billy is a real boy, mischievous with an enthusiastic interest in learning", two qualities he carried with him his whole life.

Always considering others first, Bill naturally went out of his way to make sure everyone was comfortable and cared for. From being on a first name basis with a number of merchants and service workers whom he interacted with in his day-to-day life to watching out for the financial and spiritual needs of all those that he came to know. He was a deeply charitable person and, even in his final days in the hospital, doctors and care staff came to say goodbye just because they had come to consider him a friend.

Bill was predeceased by his sister, Mary "Dundo" Olmstead, and his brother, John Duncan III. He is survived by his beloved wife, Peggy Duncan, his children, Joby Duncan Koren (Michael) of Lone Tree, CO, H. Park Duncan (Whitney) of Greenwich, CT, William Millen Duncan, Jr. (Annie) of Skull Valley, AZ, his stepdaughter, Korinne Munson of West Palm Beach, FL, his five grandchildren, Jake Koren, Lilly Koren, Sydney Duncan, Robby Duncan and Will Duncan, and his nieces and nephews, Donald Olmstead, John Olmstead, Betsy Darden, Albert Wiegman and Chris Wiegman.

A memorial service will be held in the spring, at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church in Southport, CT.