Wilburn Duncan

Wilburn Lloyd Duncan, 90, of Poplar Bluff, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at his residence.

Mr. Duncan, son of the late Obidiah and Stella (Holoman) Duncan, was born September 8, 1926 in Hickory Ridge, Arkansas. He was a loving husband, father, grandpa, and great-grandpa and will be dearly missed.

On May 26, 1945 he married Mary (Tyler) Duncan in Knobel, Arkansas. In 2016 they celebrated 70 years together. She preceded him in death on May 17, 2016.

Mr. Duncan was drafted into the military during WWII and later worked in the Pentagon as a file clerk during his service. In 1954 he moved from Knobel, Arkansas to the Poplar Bluff area as a pioneer in rice farming. He was a lifelong farmer of Knobel, Arkansas and Butler County, Missouri. He served on the Riceland Foods board as chairman of the Poplar Bluff Dryer Council for over 40 years and as chairman of the Corning, Arkansas board for 17 years. He was also chairman of the Butler County Soil and Water Conservation board for 18 years. Mr. Duncan enjoyed spending time with his sons, grandsons, and friends on their annual hunting trips to Texas County, Missouri and fishing trips to Toledo Bend Reservoir in Texas. His love and care for family and friends and his dedication and vision to the agriculture industry will be greatly missed.

He is survived by two sons Larry (Janice) Duncan and Rick (Cathy) Duncan of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; two grandchildren: Aaron (Valerie) Duncan and Cameron (Brandy) Duncan; three great-grandchildren: Cori Duncan, Tobi Duncan, and Averi Duncan all of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; a sister, Helen Owens of Spring Hill, Florida; and one brother, O'Neal Duncan of Corning, Arkansas.

He was also preceded in death by three sisters: Beatrice Norwood of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Yvonne Dicus of Paragould, Arkansas and Margie Cox of Corning, Arkansas; and one brother, Bennie Duncan of Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

A visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 1st at Grace Christian Fellowship with a Celebration of Wilburn's life following at Noon. Pastor Brian Sharp will officiate and Reverend Vernon Kneir will assist. Burial will take place at Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made at www.gcfministriesinc.com/online-giving click easy tithe, click quick give, and make the selection Unity Ministries under My Donation (To). Checks may be made payable to Grace Christian Fellowship with Unity Ministry in the Memo mailed to 3200 Warrior Lane, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.