He was born on April 17, 1929 in Peoria, a son of Robert McDuff and Wilma (Foraker) Barkley . He married Doris Backes on May 22, 1948 in Eureka. She preceded him in death on April 3, 2021. He was also preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard McDuff; and sister, Beverly McDuff.
Surviving is his daughter, Becky Watts; grandchildren, Kenneth (Rachel) Smith, Colleen (Dave) Ryan, Sean Watts and Tatiana Watts; and four great-grandchildren, Mark and Megan Ryan and Aidan and Addison Smith.
Roland was a gifted carpenter who alongside his brother, built several homes from the ground up and completed countless remodeling projects. He enjoyed his retirement at his country home but never sat still for long, always keeping busy. He also found joy in music, playing the trombone with his bandmates as they volunteered their time and talent at local nursing homes and churches. Roland was a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and a U.S. Navy Veteran.
Roland's funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria. Pastor Rodney Willey will officiate. His visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., also on Wednesday at the funeral home. Interment will take place in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant Valley School District 62 “The Store Next Door”.
Online condolences may be left at www.woolsey-wilton.com for the McDuff family.
