Keith "Bill" Duffield

Keith W. "Bill" Duffield, age 89, Browns Valley, MN, ended his journey through this life Friday, November 5, 2010, at the Browns Valley Health Center and started his journey to a new life.
Funeral services were Wednesday, November 10, at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Presbyterian Church in Browns Valley with Rev. John Ragan officiating. Music was provided by organist Janet LeClair.
Burial was in the Valley View Cemetery, Browns Valley. Military honors were provided by the William Krensing American Legion Post 58 of Browns Valley. Honorary pallbearers were Kenneth Kleindl, Orville Ingemunson, Robert Layden, Merv Zabel, and Sylvester Homan. Active pallbearers were Denis Duffield, David Duffield, Pat Dady, Donald Ward, Gabriel Metz, and Nathan Metz. Visitation was Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Keith William Duffield was born August 19, 1921, to C. Arthur and Nina (Hatchitt) Duffield at the Leveland farm, rural Browns Valley. He attended rural school through the eighth grade and then attended and graduated from Browns Valley High School with the Class of 1938. Later he attended a business school in Minneapolis.
Bill enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1942 and his service continued until his discharge in 1945. His overseas duties were spent in the South Pacific on Saipan. He was a bombardier navigator on B-29 crews which conducted raids on Japan during World War II.
When he arrived home again, he met and married Donna Moore on October 6, 1946.
Bill loved Browns Valley and the farm where he grew up. Lake Traverse, the golf course, and the bowling alley provided memories of good times which were sustained by him throughout his life.
He was active in the church and taught Sunday school, was church treasurer for many years and was also a lay speaker and choir member. He was treasurer of the "Town and Country Club" for a long time and when the Kiwanis club existed he was an officer. He belonged to the Browns Valley Fire Department and was Worthy Patron of Occident Chapter Order of the Eastern Star and Past Master of the Masons. He was secretary-treasurer of the Valley View Cemetery Association and was proud to be a member of the American Legion. Bill will be remembered for his many years of playing Taps for funerals and Memorial Day services in Browns Valley.
After returning from the war, Bill went into business with his brother Ward. They owned and operated a Sinclair (later Skelly) service station and bulk oil business for many years. As part of their business they owned two school buses. He enjoyed the kids and had many stories to tell of these fun-loving passengers. Bill also was a National Weather observer for 25 years. Keeping records brought him great pleasure.
Bill leaves to mourn his passing ~ wife, Donna of Browns Valley; four children, Paula (Rick) Arbour of Eagan, MN, Peggy (John) Metz of Glenwood, MN, Todd (Stacy) Duffield of Mandan, ND, and Ann (Steve) Fulin of St. Paul, MN; five grandchildren, Nathan and Gabriel Metz, Jocelyn Smith, and Rachel and Rebecca Fulin; six great-grandchildren, Sydney, Rylee and Tyson Metz, and Ross, Chase and Harper Smith; a brother, Alan Duffield of Browns Valley; and a sister, Patti (Martin) Kyro of Harris, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Ward, Lee, Clare and Stanley; and a sister, Fonty Dady.