Billy

William Thurman Duke, Jr. was born on July 19, 1974, to William Thurman Duke, Sr. and his dear mother Sheila Irene Moon. Known as “Billy” from day one, he was a gorgeous baby, with the biggest and bluest eyes, rosy pink cheeks, and a shiny little bald head. Billy looked like this for quite awhile, so his mother would affectionately refer to him as “my little tweety bird.” Because he really did look like the cartoon character tweety bird! It wasn’t long before Billy grew some beautiful blonde hair, and because it was the 1970’s his mom let him grow it long, like many mothers did during that time. Billy’s eyes deepened in color to a rich hazel-green. He was indeed a beautiful boy. We look today at Billy’s life as a young boy, because when we reflect on that time in his life, we are able to recall some of the good times. In his youth Billy was looked up to by many in his family, and by many friends. It has been said that Billy had a “natural coolness.” He was also sweet, kind, hilariously funny, and very quick witted. He was good at every solo sport he attempted such as skateboarding, roller skating, surfing, and the highly sought after sport of “jumping off barns.” He was 12 years old when he got his motorcycle, and he told his mom “This is the happiest day of my life!” Billy had his own little posse’ of friends as a young teenager. As mentioned, he was naturally athletic, and was often seen skate boarding down hills with his cousins and close friends, taking on ramps, and jumping down stairs. He would lead the roller skating pack at the roller rink, with a rhythm that flowed nicely with the music of the times. Billy loved the ocean, particularly Virginia Beach. In fact, in his adolescence he became quite the surfer. Billy had a dedication toward those that loved him in his youth, making his cousins feel like brothers and sisters, and his friends feel like the closest of cousins. Billy was a true free spirit; he had no prejudice in him, and we all adored him. We choose to remember Billy today as someone deserving of deep love, and compassion. Although he had some very hard times in his life, may will never forget the happy, young and vibrant person that lived inside the troubled man. “See you on the flip-flop, Billy.” Billy is survived by his mother Sheila I. Moon and her husband Brian K Moon, his father, William T. Duke Sr and his wife Cheryl Duke, his children, Maya Rae Lachman, Taylor Lowell Keys, and Masyn Lachman Moon, (adopted by Sheila and Brian Moon) his bigger, little brother, Christopher Shawn Duke, his sister, Rachael Robles, his grandfather William E Smith, his 6 aunts, Athena, Clara, Lisa, Tonya, Joyce, and Felisha, numerous cousins including one who was like a brother, Jesse Smith, his closest childhood friends, Lawrence, Lowell, Lorrell, and Robin and Jason.

Billy

July 19, 1974 - May 20, 2019