Wilford Noel "Wil" Duke

1926 - 2022

Duke, Wilford "Wil" Noel

Wilford "Wil" Noel Duke, whose big broad smile and booming greeting readily revealed an even bigger heart, died peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022 surrounded by family at his hospital bedside. He was 95.

A devoted, loving husband and father, accomplished executive, and faithful Christian who lived a model life, Mr. Duke was born Nov. 13, 1926, the son of Jackson "Jack" and Jewel (nee King) Duke of Burkburnett, TX.

He served in the Navy near the end of World War II and after the war, graduated from North Texas State Teachers College, now the University of North Texas in Denton, TX, with a degree in accounting.

In 1949, Mr. Duke began a nearly 42-year career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Corp, now AT&T, retiring in 1990 as the company's comptroller.

He was a 60-year member of Kirkwood Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, helped begin a mission church, helped start and fund a food pantry ministry serving Bosnian refugees, and supported countless other ministries of the church.

He doted on his family and cherished his wife of 74 years, Emma Louise Duke.

In addition to his wife, Emma Louise Duke of Town and Country, MO, Mr. Duke is survived by his son, Kerry (Becky) Duke of Fort Thomas, KY; daughter, Denise (Jerry) Driscoll of Creve Coeur, MO; daughter-in-law, Joan Brumleve of Redwood City, CA; sister, Betty Burk of Windom, TX; grandchildren, Kelly (Matthew) Bryant of Wenonah, NJ; Erin (Ryan) McArdel of Kent, WA; Kevin (Jessica) Duke of Fort Thomas, KY; Brian Duke of Denver, CO; Lesly Duke, Marco Duke, and Juan Duke, all of Redwood City, CA; Wil Driscoll of St. Louis, MO; Emily (Darian) Puga of O'Fallon, MO; Tyler Driscoll of Oakland, CA; and 11 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Gregory "Greg" Mark Duke; and brothers, Norman Cicero Duke, Charles Vernon Duke, and Raymond Leon Duke.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 17 at Kirkwood Baptist Church, 211 N. Woodlawn Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122 with burial and graveside services at Bellerive Gardens Cemetery in Creve Coeur, MO. A luncheon will follow at the church.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 16 at Bopp Chapel Funeral Directors, 10610 Manchester Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122.

Memorials are suggested to Kirkwood Baptist Church, 211 N. Woodlawn Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122 general fund or designated to the church's Bosnian Ministry Food Pantry.

For the full obituary, see www.boppchapel.com.