William Earl Duff, Sr, 83, of Waterloo, went home to be with his wife on Saturday, July 25, 2026. He was born on January 14, 1943, in St. Louis, MO, the son of William & Irene Barton Duff. William graduated from Waterloo East High School and joined the US Air Force in 1961 and retired having achieved the rank of Senior Master Sergeant (E-8) in 1989. He married Vergie Lee Alexander whom he had met while in grade school, on April 2, 1963, and she preceded him in death. The couple was blessed with 4 children.

William was a devout man of faith who both read the Bible daily and could also explain it to anyone who would listen. He was a faithful Deacon at his church, Christian Fellowship Baptist Church in Waterloo. After his retirement from the Air Force, he volunteered with the jailhouse ministry in Waterloo, where he conducted Bible studies. William believed that the key to a long life was to keep working and he lived that belief daily.

William was a jokester who could make anyone laugh about anything. He was a jovial man who always found humor in everything, and he was a delight to be around. William was a very giving man who would literally give you the shirt off his back if you were in need. While at East High School, he was a wrestling State Champion and is a member of the East High School Hall of Fame.

After retirement, William worked for GTE in the aerospace industry and with NASA. Almost all of what he worked on, and with, is classified to this day and he took those secrets to his grave. But what does remain, and what we do know, is he received many decorations and awards from the Air Force. Those awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with five oak leaf clusters, and Air Force Training Ribbon.

William is survived by his children, Tonya James of Oakland, CA, Telena Spillers of Houston, TX, and William Duff Jr of Waterloo; 7 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; a sister, Daree (David) Mosley) of Waterloo; and many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Vergie, parents William & Irene Barton Duff; a son Tyrone Duff, brother Robert Duff, and sister Lela Simpson.

Homegoing celebration for William will be Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 11:00 am, at Christian Fellowship Baptist Church, 930 W 4th St., Waterloo, with burial to follow at Fairview Cemetery. Visitation and wake will be Monday, August 3, 2026, from 5 to 7 pm also at the church. Memorial contributions should be directed to the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lockefuneralservices.com.