Address
Locke on 4th
1519 W 4th St.
Waterloo, IA 50702
Visitation
August 3, 2026
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
930 W 4th St., Waterloo, IA
Funeral Service
August 4, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
930 W 4th St., Waterloo, IA
Memorial Donations
- May be directed to the family
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 Missionary 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.
I’m truly going to miss you grandpa .
Hey Papa, I’m going to miss you so much. I love you very much.
Dad, thank you for everything you have done for this family. You’ll be truly missed. Tell mom I said hello and save me a place thank you. Love you.
I just want to say Cupcake loves you!! Thank you for always being there Grandpa!!
That’s his cupcake. Don’t mess with his cupcake now.
MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES PRAYERS 🙏🏾 GOING OUT TO THE FAMILY AND LOVE ONES AND FRIENDS ✝️🙏🏾🫂💞
Love you my uncle
I always enjoyed him at school. He was always nice and polite.
He always knew how to brighten the room—usually with a smile, a great story, and his signature ice-cold Pepsi in hand. He will be deeply missed, but his warmth and joy will stay with us always.”
Our deepest condolences to the family.
Deacon Gaston and Linda Moore
Well grandpa you made it to your final destination with Grandma and Tyrone. I will truly missed you and didn’t want you to go but I’m so glad that you don’t have to suffer in pain anymore. Thank you to you and grandma for always being the rock of this family and shoulder for me to lean on for advice. I will always cherish that and our little walk across street in sunnyvale to get our Reese’s candy lol. Love you so much grandpa michele
Love you great grandpa and I miss you. I want to come see you right now. Love Mylah Beverly
Our heartfelt condolences to the William Duff family. Our prayers go out to the family as well.
Much love to the family.
Marketa & Allen Woods
To the Duff family,
Thinking of the family with much love as you remember your father/grandfather. Uncle Duff was an extraordinary man, and his legacy will live on through all of you. I am deeply sorry for your loss. Praying for your strength, comfort, and peace.
Oh Deacon Duff. You were a character for sure 🙂 and you were my “Pahtna” (partner). Your work in our church will live on and I truly appreciated working along side you. Your smile was contagious and your knowledge of the Word was deep! Kiss your wife, drink that Pepsi and have a scoop of vanilla ice cream (no cone). You were such a devoted servant of God and deserve your rest.
Much Love,
Marsha
Dec Duff was truly a Man of God His teachings in our Bible Class at the Jesse Cosby Community Center inspired us ALL His knowledge of the Bible and Gods word Uncompaired We’ miss you friend God Rest Your Soul
Love you my uncle
Well, Deacon Duff one thing for sure you were a man of God you will truly be missed you take your rest. Well deserved. I know you’ll still be running things gonna miss you.
Good bye my precious brother. There are no words to express my feelings about you, for you and to you.
Rest with peace dear brother.
You will definitely be missed here on earth. I am missing your presence and support in my life already .You will forever be-in my heart. Thank you for my religious teachings they made me.a caring loving person just like you. You have taught me that God is my strength and my power. Believe in Him and live a good life.
GOD got you now. Say hello to everyone in your new home for me.
As we say to each other when we end our phone conversations. TA TA FOR NOW, your baby sis BIBBIE
Deacon Duff, you were a true servant of God. Thank you for your encouragement. You will be missed for sure. I am sad to see you go but I am happy that you will no longer suffer with the physical pain any more. Continue resting in peace. Sister Mary Ann
Deacon Duff, you were such an amazing influence to everyone at church. Your shoes surely cannot be filled but we will try to keep things running smoothly as you did. You were always smiling even when you hurt. You made everyone feel welcome and went to extra mile to include them in everything. You will definitely be missed by myself and my family. You are always so good to my Great Grandaughter Alayna also. Thanks for being you and your vast knowledge of God. RIP Your Friend and Church Family Sister Kathy McCready, Brother Steve Aylsworth, Sister Holly Aylsworth., Sister Alayna Lowe
My Uncle, our leader and my love. Always giving a quick message or story which would make me smile when I think back on our conversations. You have always been a strong force in life and God says it’s time to sit back and relax. Tell all my elders hello. Everyone in Texas loves you truly. 💋
My condolences to the Duff and Spillers family! We are so sorry for your loss! You are in our thoughts and prayers as you celebrate Deacon Duff’s life!
Bre we love you and are here for you during your period of grief!
The Johnson Family(Jacksonville family)
Papa Duff left behind a wonderful legacy in his granddaughter Bre and I’m certain will be missed dearly
A true man off God! We all could take advice from his life with the Lord. He taught me not worry and be happy in whatever circumstance I find myself in.
He loved his church. The children were his friends because he loved on them all.
Deacon Duff was the ultimate Bible teacher. His love of history brought the Bible alive.
I know I’m not in Iowa for His Homegoing Celebration but I will keep his family in prayer.
Family, God will supply all you need for comfort.
Deacon Tyrone and Minister Jo Ann Wright