Willie A. Duncan

Willie Andrew Duncan, son of the late Bruce and Mamie Helen Joyner-Duncan, Sr. was born on April 10, 1951 in the Bronx, New York City. He departed this life on April 6, 2005 after a brief illness at his home with his wife, children and grandchildren by his side.Affectionately known as “Duncan”, he was the fifth child of eleven children born to Bruce and Mamie. Hi siblings are Bruce Jr., Sylvester, Ernestine, LeRoy, Dennis, James, Denise, Alvido, Cecelia and Antoinette.In 1969, Duncan moved to Baltimore City, Maryland with his family. He attended the Baltimore City Public Schools and received his high school diploma from the Fairmount Hill High School on June 3, 1971.On August 17, 1974, Duncan married his childhood sweetheart, the former Maggie Lee-Sawyer of Baltimore, Md. From this union, two daughters were born, Kendra La Trell Duncan-Colvin and Wynita LaSheik. In 1974, Duncan joined the Sweet Prospect Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Calvin C. English. He remained a loyal member throughout his life.Duncan was a hard worker and often held two jobs at once. His very first job after high school was with Church Home and Hospital. In June 1974, Duncan became employed with the Baltimore City Government. Duncan worked for the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Sanitation. At the time of his passing, Duncan was employed with the Department of Sanitation and the Johns Hopkins University Department of Transportation.During his career, Duncan received numerous awards and citations such as Certificate of Completion National Training Systems Tractor trailer (July 1987), City of Baltimore Office of Occupational Medicine and Safety (1989); Department o f Public Works (1991); Department of Transportation Two-Training (October, 1991), Department of Parks and Recreation (May 1995); Department of Public Works: Work Area Traffic Control (June 1995).Aside from his many talents as a dedicated employee, Duncan was an accomplished athlete. Standing only 5'4" tall, Duncan ran track and played basketball and was often called the “giant killer.”Although he did not have a son, he taught his daughters the art of serious athletic competition. Both daughters competed in track and field and basketball. There is no doubt that Duncan would have become a personal coach and trainer for his two young grandsons, Shabazz and Dylan.A friendly, generous and loyal person, Duncan made many friends through his life. Duncan was a loving husband, a devoted father and family member.He was a proud grandparent and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He often shared with his daughters and grandchildren the value of hard work and obtaining an education. He looked forward to seeing them excel in life. He also took a great interest in the lives of his nieces and nephews, often having many private talks with them about their hopes and dreams.Duncan leaves to mourn his passing his wife of thirty-one years, Maggie Lee; two daughters, Kendra Latrell and Wynita SlSheik; six grandchildren Nyara, Kinera, Iana, Shabazz, Dylan, and Megan; one son-in-law, Wesley Colvin; six brothers and sister-in-law, Bruce Jr. (Joann), Sylvester (Gloria), Leroy (Gail, deceased), Dennis (Wanda), James (Patricia) and Alvido (Stacey); four sisters and brothers-in-law, Ernestine (Jimmy), Denise (Bruce), Cecilia (Tom) and Antoinette (William); brothers-and sisters-in-law through marriage, Robert and Angela Sawyer, James and Sharon Sawyer, George and Shirley Sawyer, Thomas and Juanita Watkins, Howard and Penny Ruffin, Bobby and Arlette Holley and Chester and Vivian Sawyer; father and mother, Samuel B. and Frances Sawyer; one aunt, Paulie Joyner; and numerous nieces, cousins and other relatives, friends and co-workes.

Tributes

Willie A. Duncan

April 10, 1951 - April 6, 2005