It is with great sadness we say goodbye to William "Sonny" Duke of Nanaimo, BC. Bill passed away quietly in the Palliative Care Unit at NRH with his loving wife, Ann, at his side. He is survived by two sisters, Helen Erickson and Della Burrell (Jim), a son Marvin (Cheryl), a daughter Yvonne (Randy), five grandchildren (Daniel, Steven, Jamie, Lisa and Michael) and a number of great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents Alfred and Bertie Duke, and his sister, Ethel Flannery.
Bill was born and raised on the family farm in Eastend Saskatchewan, and came to Vancouver Island at age 19, where he met and later married his beautiful Ann. They had two children and moved to Burnaby, BC where he worked for Lafarge Canada for many years.
From an early age, Bill loved cars, hunting and fishing. He learned to skate on the river and became an accomplished hockey player and coach. The family spent many years camping and boating, enjoying the outdoors year-round. In 1987, Bill and Ann moved back to Vancouver Island to build their dream home and enjoy their later years.
Bill will be laid to rest in Eastend Saskatchewan, with a celebration of life to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Nanaimo Community Hospice Society (through the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation), where he received the absolute best of care for which we are forever grateful.