MERIDIAN —Funeral services for Billy “Bill” Franklin Duncan will be Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Meridian with Dr. Raymond Leake officiating. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery with Robert Barham Family Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Duncan, age 89, of Meridian passed away Monday, April 23, 2018, at Poplar Springs Nursing Center.

Billy was born Oct. 28, 1928, in Keo, Ark., a small town between Little Rock and Pine Bluff. He grew up in England, Ark., the youngest son of William Thomas Duncan and Elizabeth O’Delia Dereuisseaux Duncan. He attended schools at England, Ark.

Moving to Lake Village, Ark., he engaged in delta farming along with his brothers.

There, he met his mate and after dating a couple of years, they were married and have enjoyed 71 years of marriage.

Blessed with their only child Marsha, they moved to Vicksburg, where they resided for 42 years and were very active in First Baptist Church there, where he was ordained a deacon. He loved driving the church van picking up special senior ladies for Sunday school and church worship.

Moving to Meridian in 1994 after retirement, he was active in First Baptist, enjoying the Pilgrim SS class and serving as deacon and doing other volunteer work.

He and Floy delivered Meals on Wheels for 17 years and loved getting to know the recipients.

Traveling was a great pastime, making trips to all but 4 states and enjoying what each state had to offer.

Survivors include his wife, Floy Marie Williams Duncan; daughter, Marsha Balzli and husband, Dr. Joseph Thomas Balzli Jr. of Marion; grandchildren, Dr. Blake Balzli (Miriam) and Laura B. Little (Dr. Reggie), all of Starkville, and Sarah B. Joly (Chris) of Nashville, Tenn.; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Mary Margaret and Joseph Balzli, Griffin, Emma Kathryn and Blake Little; Ava Clare, Thomas and Emeline Joly.

He was preceded in death by five brothers, Hammett, Jeff, Freed, Paul, and James; a sister, Ruth; and his parents, William Thomas Duncan and Elizabeth O’Delia Dereuisseaux Duncan.

The family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church or the charity of your choice.

Pallbearers will be Dr. Blake Balzli, Dr. Reggie Little, Chris Joly, Griffin Little, Jimmy Duncan and John Duncan.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 25, 2018, from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Meridian.