William “Bill” J. Durst
William J. “Bill” Durst, 91, Durham, Mo., passed away at 8:43 a.m., Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at his home in Durham.
William “Bill” J. Durst
Bill was born May 16, 1929, in Quincy, Ill., to Louis and Edith Thompson Durst. He was married to Marge Keller on Sept. 26, 1953, in Jacksonville, Ill.
Survivors include his wife, Marge Durst, Durham; his children, Rick (Peggy) Durst and Diane (Ben) Bozarth; grandchildren, Sarah (Tom) Adam, Kelly (Josh) Sharpe, Amy Durst, Stephen Durst, Brett (Lauren) Bozarth, Andrew (Maggie) Bozarth and Erin Bozarth; great-grandchildren, Austin Adam, Claire Adam, Erick Sharpe, Cora Sharpe, Luke Bozarth, Layla Bozarth, Lydia Bozarth and Lucy Bozarth; and sister, Mary Ann Speckhart.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Edith Thompson Durst; siblings, Sam Durst, Ed Durst, Paul Durst, Dale Durst, Dorothy Blentlinger and Edith Schultz; infant daughter, Jayne Durst; and infant great-granddaughter, Natalie Adam.
Bill was a graduate of Liberty High School in Liberty, Ill. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953.
Bill farmed in Lewis County for 68 years. He had a great love for his family, the farm, and his cats.
Graveside services with full military honors by American Legion Post #578, Lewistown, Mo., will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, April 23, at Durham Cemetery in Durham. Rev. Helen McFarland will officiate.
Pallbearers will be Sarah Adam, Kelly Sharpe, Amy Durst, Stephen Durst, Austin Adam, Brett Bozarth, Andrew Bozarth and Erin Bozarth.
A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to noon, Friday, April 23, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, Mo.
Memorials may be made to Durham Cemetery.
Online condolences may be shared at www.lewisbrothersfuneralchapel.com.
