Born September 25, 1943 in Jasper, Texas to Beulah Berta and William Richmond Duckworth. Bill joins in Heaven his parents and sisters Elsie Busby and Velma Gaines.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 57 years, Marilyn Spencer Duckworth; sons Stephen Duckworth (Lili) and David Duckworth (Cherie); daughter, Melissa Kennedy (Nathan); grandchildren Jackson Duckworth, Savannah Duckworth, Madeline Duckworth, Austin Duckworth, Haley Bienvenu, Caroline Kennedy, Nathan Kennedy, Jr. and Leta Broome; nephew, Curtis Busby, nieces Eileen Kimbrough and Karen Taylor; and numerous cousins.
Bill grew up in Jasper, Texas and attended Panola Jr. College from 1962 until 1964. He was inducted into the All American Hall of Fame in 2010 for his baseball talent. He graduated from Northwest State College (University) on a full baseball scholarship. He continued his education and obtained his Master’s Degree +30 from NSU.
Bill taught Distributive Education and Marketing at Bossier High School for 25 years and then at Benton High School for 10 more years. He also taught night classes at BPCC for many years. He simultaneously sold insurance throughout his teaching career and continued throughout his retirement years. Bill was admired and respected by his students while teaching them, and many of his former students acknowledged the impact he had on their lives as they would see him in the community and in their jobs that he prepared them for.
Bill was an avid fisherman and provided many good times and meals for his family and friends with his famous fish fries. Through the years he served the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office as a Posse member, at the food bank, and most recently as a facilitator at the BPSO Rifle Range. He spent many hours working on his boats and tending to his garden and fruit trees.
Most of all though, Bill LOVED his family and the Lord. He was a long time member of Airline Baptist Church where he was a deacon, taught a men’s Sunday school class, and served on multiple committees. Bill's children and grandchildren were the light of his life and he loved to spoil them. The void in our lives will be greatly felt but knowing he is at peace resting at the feet of Jesus, is a comfort and a blessing.
Services honoring the life of Bill will be held Friday, June 28, 2024 at 2pm at Airline Baptist Church. Visitation will be held prior to service Thursday, June 27, 2024 from 5pm until 7pm at Airline Baptist Church. Interment will immediately follow services Friday, June 28, 2024 at Hill Crest Memorial Park.
Honoring Bill as pallbearers will be Mike Boggs, Lamar Breedlove, Les Dillihunty, Chuck Duncan, Bobby Edmiston, Gary Pearce, Joe Windham and Warren Windham. Honorary pallbearers will be Rod Duchane and Mark Morgan.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Bill's honor to Airline Baptist Church Building Fund or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.
