William Franklin Duncan

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Sparks High School

William Duncan Obituary

William Franklin Duncan peacefully passed away September 8, 2010, at Enloe Hospital in Chico, California, at the age of 73. He has been a resident of Gridley, Ca. for the past several years. He was born March 10, 1937, in Leadville, Colorado to Bertha and Henry Duncan. He was a handsome, popular basketball player and graduated from Sparks High School in 1955. Following high school Bill honorably served in the United States Air Force. He was a well known and accomplished blackjack dealer, craps dealer and pit boss for many casinos in Reno and Lake Tahoe. Everyone knew him as a great story teller, a friend and a sincerely caring person. He was predeceased by his father, his mother, Bertha Nevin; step father, C.A. "Red" Nevin; and sister, Dorothy Hendricks. Bill is survived by his long time companion, Melinda; his children, Tracy and Scott Duncan of Savannah, Georgia; his sisters, Winnie Abel, Betty (Pat) Cunneen, Juanita (Ernie) Givani, Lisa Polydoros, brother, Fred (Voncele) Hale, brother-in-law, Milt Hendricks and numerous nieces and nephews. William Duncan lived a colorful life full of unpredictable ups and downs. He will long be remembered by all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, please celebrate his life.

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Published by The Reno Gazette Journal and Lyon County News Leader on Sep. 19, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for William Duncan

8 Entries

Dan Archuleta

September 15, 2020

Bill and I were classmates and grew up together in Sparks, Nevada. He excelled in basket ball in high school and made the national list of high school stars; "Top 500 basket ball stars in the USA". ( 1955 ). He and I were like brothers and his family was our family. Great memories.

Lisa Polydoros

September 29, 2010

Bill was my best friend, from my first year of school, and until his death. My husband and I invited Bill to live in our guest house in Fallon. He arrived, applied for a job as a craps dealer at the Nugget, and was hired, all in one day. I'll always cherish that period of time (1 1/2 years). Bill and my husband, Jimmy, were always fixing a fence, painting, etc. They got along very well and it was fun watching those two enjoying NFL together. Bill loved to cook and he was crazy about popcorn. He fixed it every night. He was there for me, when my husband died, and lived with me for seven months; before meeting his girlfriend Melinda, who became "the love of his life" (he told me recently). Bill was humorous, and very caring. My life will never be the same without him, I adore my other brother, Fred, also! I always consulted Bill, on serious decisions, and relied on him for advice. He did the same with me. I was one year younger than him. I'll miss his wonderful smile, his affectionate hug, and his complete honesty. I will think of him, everyday! His sister, Bertha (Lisa) Polydoros

September 24, 2010

I was a close friend of Bill. I have known him for about 15 years. He lived and worked closely with my dad in Knights Landing and moved to Gridley when my dad built an RV Park and Bar. Bill was indespensible in its operation and a very good friend of all who came into the bar. Many people would come just to share stories with Bill. We all will miss Bill.

Mike Young, Gridley

BRY

September 20, 2010

Deepest sympathy to the family,May you be comforted during this time of loss and thereafter (2Cor 1:3&4)

Ernie and Juanita Givani

September 20, 2010

Brother Bill was truely one of the really good people on earth. He would give his all to help a friend in need. Always a joy to be around, his fantastic sense of humor and funny stories amused everyone. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

Patrick and Betty Cunneen

September 19, 2010

Nobody could spin a tale like our Brother Bill. We will all miss him. Rest in peace Brother Bill.

Carol and Jimmy Bender

September 19, 2010

We will always remember our Uncle Bill! Unfortunately, his stories will not live on, because no one can tell them the way he could! I loved his warm chuckle. He saw and faced some tough times in his life, but made the best of them and never complained. He had a gift of finding a bit of humor in the darkest moments. I always looked forward to spending some time with him, and now am sorry I didn't make that happen more often. It was clear that he loved all of us very much. RIP, Uncle Bill!

Dan Archuleta

September 19, 2010

I was a close freind of Bill's while growing up in Sparks and also graduated in 1955 from SHS. He was truly an outstanding basketball player and I believe was the recipient of national honers for the Top 500 High School basketball stars in the nation in 1954 or 1955. I lost track of Bill many years ago and always wondered where he had found a home and new found loved ones. I find some peace in knowing that he finally found some happiness in life since I know that he did go thru some hard times earlier in life. He joins many of his close high school friends that we have lost in the past ten years. My thoughts and sympathies are with his family over the hill in California.

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