Mr. William Paul Duke, 79, of Well Road, Hartwell, died Friday, March 14, 2014 at Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center, Lavonia.

Born on May 9, 1934 in Amboy IL, he was the son of the late Willie Patton Duke and Pherna Reed Duke.He was a Plant Production Manager for Dunlop Sports and a charter member of the Hartwell Bass Club.Mr. Duke was an active member of the Bethany Baptist Church, a former Deacon and a U.S. Army veteran.

Survivors include his wife: Mary Ford Duke; two sons: Rodney Duke and his wife Marlene of Canon and Richard "Rick" Duke and his wife Donna of Tignal GA; one sister: Marilyn Duke Jones of Westminster SC; three brothers: David Duke & Charles Duke both of Westminster SC and William R. Duke of the Dominican Republic; five step-grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services will be Sunday, March 16 at 3:00 p.m. at the Bethany Baptist Church with Rev. Jerry Durham & Rev. Luther Thomason officiating.Burial will be in the Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Bethany Baptist Church. The family is at the home.Flowers optional, memorials may be made to the Gideons International, Hart Co. Camp, PO Box 59, Hartwell GA30643 or Bethany Baptist Church, 2085 Bethany-Bowersville Road, Canon Ga 30520.