Obituary of Wilbur S. Duncan

Wilbur S. (Bill) Duncan, of Darien, CT., died Thursday, December 2 in Stamford Hospital. Mr. Duncan was born on November 7, 1919, near Bolivar, MO. The eldest son of the late Herbert and Mabel Duncan, he spent his early years in East Texas where he worked for the Southwestern Transportation Company. He joined the U.S. Army in 1941, serving with the 69th Infantry Division as it battled its way across France and Germany until linking up with the Russians at Torgau. Following the War, Mr. Duncan graduated from Columbia University in 1947 with a degree in accounting and membership in Beta Gamma Sigma. In 1947, he joined the public accounting firm of Arthur Andersen & Co. in its New York office. He became a manager in 1951 and general partner in 1956. He served in various supervisory positions, including Deputy Managing Partner in New York and his last three years in Geneva, Switzerland, working with the professional practice in Europe, Africa and the near East. He retired in 1982 and carried on limited financial activities until 1998. When his family was younger, Mr. Duncan was a Sunday school teacher and a Deacon at the First Congregational Church of Darien. He was an elected member of the Darien Board of Finance and was a Cub Scout Leader for the local boy scouts. Mr. Duncan was a long time member of the Wee Burn Country Club and a former member of the Nutmeg Curling Club. He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Alice, daughters Catherine Gentile and husband Lawrence, of Dedham, MA, Carol Meisel and husband Robert of Austin, TX, and son Ross Duncan and wife Kathryn of Denver, CO. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Celia Gentile Egleston, Philip Gentile, Charles Gentile, Duncan Meisel, Katherine Meisel and Courtney Duncan, as well as nieces Sheryl Becan and husband Anthony and Sylvia Chinworth and husband Tres of Fort Worth, TX and their children Trent Becan and Stuart Chinworth. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Celia Louise, his brother Forrest and grandniece Tierney Becan of Fort Worth, TX, and former wife, Lois. It was Mr. Duncan�s wish that his body be donated to Yale University School of Medicine. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 2 P.M. at the First Congregational Church of Darien The service will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Don Longbottom and assisted by the Rev. Dr. Ronald T. Evans, former senior minister. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Celia Louise Duncan Memorial Fund at the First Congregational Church of Darien, 14 Brookside Road, Darien, CT 06820. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820