William Byran Duncan

William "Bill" Byran Duncan, 86, a native of Siskiyou County passed away January 14th at the Shasta View Care Center in Weed after a long illness. Bill was born November 18,1929 in the Southern Pacific depot in the community of Mott, in Siskiyou County, to John and Hazel Duncan. His father was a SP and McCloud River Track Foreman. Bill attended elementary schools in Dunsmuir, Hornbrook, Kennett, Snowdon, Floriston and Maxwell. He attended 3 years at Yreka High School. His family moved to McCloud (Car A) and Dunsmuir in his late teens. where he graduated from Dunsmuir High in 1948. Bill played quarterback at both high schools as number 19. After high school Bill married Darlene Barber of Dunsmuir in 1955. He was with the love of his life for over 60 years, residing in Edgewood for the last 24 years. They have two sons, Byran (his wife Nancy and their daughter Mary) and Bruce. Other survivors include two brothers, Edd of Albuquerque, and Lyle (and wife Margie) of Mount Shasta,, and numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces and great-great nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Mary, brother John "Jack" Jr., and four sisters Bertha, Laura, Patricia and Constance. During his working years Bill did short stints for the CDF, USFS, Southern Pacific, Yellow Cab, L&L Hardware (Dunsmuir Hardware), Purity Foods, Standard Oil, Dunsmuir PD, California State Police and finally a 30+ year career with the California Highway Patrol retiring the rank of sergeant, Air Commander of the Mojave Desert out of Barstow. Bill served the public by motorcycle, automobile, airplane, helicopter, horseback and foot patrol during his career. All the while he served a 41 year career with the California National Guard and Army Reserves retiring as a 1LT. He did two tours overseas, Germany and Italy. He was also Company Commander of the Yreka National Guard Unit. Bill graduated from the College of the Siskiyous. His hobbies included model railroading, Civil War reenactment, surfing the net, pinochle and his family. In the past he enjoyed hunting, reading, horseback riding, tennis, competition shooting with the CHP and Military and other outdoor activities. He was a life long Green Bay Packers fan. After retirement he helped his son with his business, Golden West Hobbies. He belonged to many clubs and organizations, including a lifetime member of Elks, a member of the Siskiyou Model Railroaders and Hurt's Battery. Services will be Monday, January 25th at 12 PM at Girdner Funeral Chapel, 202 S Oregon St, Yreka (530 842-3434). It will be followed by graveside at the Hornbrook Cemetery and then a Wake at the Yreka Elks Lodge, In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the Yreka Elks Lodge 1980, 332 W Miner St, Yreka, CA 96097 (530 842 1980) or a charity of your choice.

William Byran Duncan

November 18, 1929 - January 14, 2016