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WILBUR
H. DURRANCE – 93 -
Wilbur H. Durrance, 93, went
home to his heavenly Father April 21, 2011. He passed away at his
home in Clarksville, Ga., with his loving wife of 22 years, Betty R. Durrance by his side. Wilbur was born in Polk Co., January 20, 1918, to the parents of Horace Augustus Durrance and Rosa Lee Whitfield of Bowling Green, Fla. Mr. Durrance was a sixth generation Floridian and spent his life in agriculture, as did most of his forbearers and current generations. Wilbur moved to Lake Placid in
1945, to purchase his first citrus grove, after farming in Ft. Myers,
Fla., for seven years. He was active in the life of Lake Placid serving
as mayor for two terms from 1957 to 1965. He was also a member of the
rescue unit, searching the lakes for missing people before there were
professionals to do so; a volunteer manning the tower and watching the
sky during the cold war; a member of Masonic Lodge #282; and a director
of Farm Credit for many years. He was a member of the Memorial United
Methodist Church, and after moving to north Georgia in 1997, he
attended the Tallulah Falls United Methodist Church. Mr. Durrance
enjoyed life, was quick witted and easy going. If you ever passed him
on the road, you more than likely received from him a smile and
friendly wave. He was a baseball pitcher in his early adult years and
an avid hunter and fisherman and loved traveling the world his entire
life.
Wilbur and Myrtice were proud
parents of three children, Peggy Durrance Leach (James), William A.
Durrance (Deborah G.), and Horace L. Durrance (Deborah M). "Papa's"
grandchildren include Connie Fentress Eddy (Kerry), Pamela Fentress,
Latt Durrance, Lacey Durrance, Misty Durrance Matthews (Curt), Casey
Durrance Murphy (Lee), Wilbur Owen Durrance (Melinda); and he was
blessed with great- grandchildren, Justin, Jarred, Magdalene, Tressa
and Koltin. He was predeceased by his parents; his wife, Myrtice Smith
Durrance of 49 years; as well as all of his siblings, Ruby Durrance
McLeod, Ora Durrance Speith, Clara Durrance Harmon, and Rodney M.
Durrance.
A memorial service will take
place at 4 p.m. Friday, April 29, in Lake Placid at Memorial United
Methodist Church, followed by visitation with family in the fellowship
hall.
Flowers or a memorial donation
to Good Shepherd Hospice, 1110 Hammock Road, Sebring, FL 33870; or the
Lake Placid Town Cemetery Trust Fund, 51 Park Drive, Lake Placid, FL
33852; would be appreciated.
Cards of condolence can be sent
to Betty Durrance, 1272 Annandale Drive, Clarksville, GA 30523; or to
the Durrance family in Lake Placid, at P.O. Box 488, Lake Placid, FL
33862. Memorial arrangements are under the loving devotion of Michael
A. Brochetti Funeral Home 404 Plaza Avenue
Lake Placid, FL 33852 (863) 465-9997 - TBO.com, April 27, 2011 |