Funeral service for Dr. W.C. Duncan, of Hartselle, will be Monday June 5, 2017 at 2:00PM at the First Presbyterian Church in Decatur. Graveside service will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, June 4, 2017 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at Peck Funeral Home in Hartselle.
Dr. W.C. Duncan passed peacefully from us this past weekend at age 95. He was a devoted husband; caring father; fun grandfather; and committed, compassionate physician. He was born and grew up in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. He attended the College of the Ozarks where he won medals as a competitive member of the track team. With the U.S. joining WWII he volunteered for the Navy Coast Guard where he served as a Pharmacist First Mate. He was stationed in New York and took courses at Columbia University. Later after discharge from the Coast Guard in New Orleans he completed his undergraduate degree at Tulane University. Importantly, while in New Orleans he met and married Elaine. For over 60 years they were a loving, close couple with obvious deep affection for each other.
After Tulane he attended the University of Arkansas Medical School in Little Rock. They then returned to New Orleans for his internship at Mercy Charity Hospital. Through a fateful set of introductions they were invited to visit Hartselle where they found a small town with the work and lifestyle opportunities they were seeking. They moved with two baby daughters to Hartselle in 1952 where he built a large successful medical and surgical practice. They added a third child to the family, a son named Conley, who later provided some of Dr. Duncan’s most joyous memories watching him play linebacker for Coach Bear Bryant and the Tide. After practicing a few years Dr. Duncan moved his office practice to a new clinic on Pine Street and became one of the first physicians on the staff of Sparkman/Hartselle Hospital, a position he kept until retirement many years later. He had a full, busy Family Medicine practice delivering babies, performing surgery, setting broken bones, and treating a vast array of medical problems for over 40 years. Dr. Duncan was the medical director for Summerford Nursing Home for almost 40 years from the day it opened until 2012. He actively participated in medical issues and frequently commented about how he valued and enjoyed his work at Summerford. He was also an active member of the Morgan County Medical Society and Medical Association State of Alabama (MASA). It was a special event when his daughter, Dr. Pam Varner, was able to present him with a plaque at the MASA annual meeting recognizing his 50 years of active membership.
Dr. Duncan was a strong advocate of continuing medical education and frequently talked about “keeping up” with new treatments and diagnostic techniques. When Family Medicine became a recognized specialty with Board Certification he had been practicing more than 20 years. He was one of the original group of physicians from across the country to be named a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine. It was a time limited Board Certification and continuing as a Board Certified Diplomate required passing a nationally administered all day exam. Even though it was not required for him to practice medicine and by the time it expired he was only a few years away from retirement he chose to take the exam – and successfully passed it! He maintained his active status as a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine until it expired some years after he had retired. The public and most patients never understood the amount of time required to study and prepare for the exam; the expensive registration fee; and the personal sacrifice and self-discipline necessary to pass the exam. Other physicians and colleagues knew the magnitude of this achievement and viewed him with great respect. There is no greater testimony to your beliefs and values than to take the difficult path when it is not required. He lived a life truly dedicated to learning and education.
Despite his passion for medicine and the large time commitment to his medical practice he had many personal interests. The availability of quail hunting and good fishing played heavily in the decision to move to Hartselle. He continued both for most of his life. Another passion was University of Alabama football. He became a Roll Tide fan long before they had a winning program. He had season tickets for more than 50 years and was a Tide Pride supporter since its inception. He traveled to the BCS championship game in Pasadena, California, when he was 88 years old to cheer the Tide to victory and a National Championship. He continued to attend home games until into his 90’s.
Many who knew him will attest to his dedication and love for this community. Dr. Duncan had a strong belief in God and country. He served as a Deacon and Elder of Hartselle First United Methodist Church and a Sunday School teacher for many years. He was Chairman of Board of Directors of Community Bank and was a personal participant and volunteer for many, many community projects and activities over the past 60 years. The Hartselle Chamber of Commerce recognized him with an Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award. His “can-do”, upbeat attitude always had an uplifting effect on those around him. Dr. Duncan’s energetic participation motivated many others to volunteer and work harder toward whatever task or goal was at hand. At work he had a quick smile and liked to tease and play simple jokes on nurses, technicians, clerks etc., with the intent of provoking laughter and smiles. He proved happiness and laughter are the best medicine for everyone. It is the rare person who can have such a meaningful impact on so many lives. We are all the better for his life. Dr. Duncan was preceded in death by his parents, Grace and Walter Duncan; wife of 60 years, Elaine Duncan; two brothers, Houston Duncan of Arkansas and Griffin Duncan of California.
Survivors include:
Three Children:
Dr. Pamela Varner (Dr. Ed)
Phyllis Moore (Doug)
Conley Duncan (Kathy)
One Sister:
Patricia Medley (Bill)
Two Sisters-in-law:
Mrs. Houston Duncan (Juanita)
Mrs. Griffin Duncan (Jan)
Eight Grandchildren:
Dr. Stuart Ann Goldberg (Dr. Justin)
Duncan Varner (Colleen)
Parker Duncan Moore
Kristen Duncan
Rachel Wheeler (Onis)
Kinsey Hensley (Blake)
Christopher Duncan (Brittney)
Selby Duncan
Nine Great Grandchildren:
Aster and Maren Goldberg
Ella Ray Baldwin
Ali, Lexie, and Aven Wheeler
Wyatt and Lily Ruth Hensley
Jack Duncan
The family asks those who would like to make a donation in honor of Dr. Duncan give to a favorite charity of their choice or consider donating to the Decatur Free Clinic; or the Faith House, run by Hartselle First United Methodist Church; or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes North Alabama.
