Cecil Edwards Duff

Age 89 of Decatur, Illinois, formerly of Hamilton, passed away Sunday, July 19, 2015 at Symphony of Decatur. He was born in Ricetown, Kentucky on December 7, 1925 the son of Claude and Nellie Francis (Edwards) Duff. Cecil was named to the Kentucky All State Basketball Team from Owsley County in 1944. He was a Navy veteran of WWII serving in the Pacific. Cecil attended the University of Kentucky and graduated from Eastern Kentucky University. He was head basketball coach at Owsley County High School from 1950-1952. On July 5, 1952 he married Irma Glynn Evans. Cecil and Irma moved to Hamilton in 1952. They were married nearly 50 years when she preceded him in death on January 28, 2002. An analytical chemist, Cecil was a supervisor in optical chemical spectroscopy at Fernald Nuclear Plant for 36 years retiring in 1988. He was a member of The Presbyterian Church where he was formerly active as an elder and deacon. He was also a member of American Society of Testing and Materials and the Society of Applied Spectroscopy. Cecil enjoyed many sports including golf later in life. He was an excellent carpenter. Cecil was married to Allegra Brown from 2003-2013. He is survived by his sons, James C. (Kathleen) Duff of Bethesda, MD. and Kevin D. (Deborah) Duff of White Heath, IL.; grandchildren, Matthew, Kaitlin, Scott, Bryan, and Sara; a sister, Nadine Burkes; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by brothers, Ralph, McKinley, Johnny, and Earl Duff; and a sister Lois Wilson. Visitation will be held at Webb Noonan Kidd Funeral Home, 240 Ross Ave., on Friday July 24th from 10:00 AM to time of funeral service at 11:00 AM with Dr. John H. Lewis officiating. Burial will follow in Millville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to The Presbyterian Church, 23 S. Front St., Hamilton, Ohio 45011.