With family at his side, longtime horse owner William Duncan passed away peacefully at his home in Embro, Ontario on Sunday, September 4, 2011
in his 74th year.
He was born in Stratford son of the late Robert Duncan and the former Phyllis Young and lived in Harrington until his marriage to Patricia Irwin August 22, 1959. The couple then moved to Stratford and lived until taking up residence in Embro in 1979. Bill was employed at Canada Cement (Lafarge) until 1996. During this time he and his partner also owned and operated D & T Lawn Care, and for 18 years he looked after the Embro Cemetery. He was a Past Master of Lakeside Doric Corinthian Masonic Lodge #569 and the Roy (Bud) Maslen Memorial Legion # 318 in Embro.
Duncan was involved in harness racing for five decades, spanning back to the 1907s with Heathers Jet. More recently, Duncan owned trotters such as Sunshines Dream and Sonny Vale.
Bill is survived by the love of his life Patricia Darlene Irwin, his loving sons Scott, Rob and Joe Duncan and his four grandchildren Michael Duncan, William Clark, Bradley Duncan and Olivia Clark. He is the brother in law of Doug and Joanne Irwin and Maxine and Don Robbins and is also survived by many nieces and nephews and cousins and their families.
Friends and relatives may call at the W. G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron St., Stratford on Thursday, September 8 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Knox United Church, Embro, Ontario on Friday, September 9 at 2 p.m. Rev. Judy Campbell will officiate. Private family burial in the Embro Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Embro Cemetery Board through the funeral home.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of William Duncan.