1922
2017
William Fay Durham, 95, died November 28, 2017. He was born on April 19, 1922 in Cedartown, GA to George Fay Durham and Lucille Pennington Durham.
He grew up and attended public schools in Cedartown where he was co-valedictorian of his high school class in 1939. He received a two year scholarship to Emory at Oxford before transferring to Emory University in Atlanta, GA in 1943. Bill was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. After graduation, he was invited back to Emory at Oxford to teach chemistry. He taught for one year before enlisting in the US Navy. In the Navy, Bill was assigned to the 47th Acorn Unit of the SeaBees and landed on the island of Palawan in the Philippines on April 12, 1945. When WWII ended, Bill returned to Emory and earned a PhD in Biochemistry in 1950. He was the second recipient of a PhD in Biochemistry at Emory.
After receiving his PhD, Bill received a commission in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Officers Corps. His first assignment was to the CDC Toxicology group in Savannah, GA to investigate possible adverse effects of pesticide use on human health. He was involved in a number of studies on the pesticide DDT, which was subsequently banned in the US. In 1956, he was appointed director of a field station lab in Wennatchee, WA to study the effects of organic phosphate (nerve gas type) pesticides. In 1968, he was appointed director of the EPA research lab in Miami, FL. In 1973, he was appointed scientific director of the EPA research lab in Research Triangle Park, NC. He authored and coauthored numerous scientific journal articles and book chapters. After 39 years in the US Navy and US PHS, Bill retired in 1989. He continued to do consulting work related to his research for the next 15years.
Bill also held adjunct professor positions in the pharmacology departments of the medical schools at the University of Washington, University of Miami, University of North Carolina and Duke University. He was a 50-year member of the American Chemical Society, fellow of the American Association of Sciences and member of the American Society for Pharmacological and Empirical Pharmaceuticals.
Bill was a member of Rotary International for over 50 years, dating back to 1958, and remained an active member well into his eighties. He served several terms as recording secretary and served a term as president of the Perrine, FL club. He was a Paul Harris Fellow.
Bill enjoyed golfing and was a charter member of the North Ridge Country Club since 1973.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Sara Sudderth Durham; sons, William Durham, Jr. of Key Biscayne, FL and Garland Durham of San Luis Obispo, CA and David Durham of Raleigh; grandchildren, Sara, David and Daya Durham; and sister, Eugenia Magaw and husband, Malcolm of Marietta, GA.
A graveside service will be held 11am Friday, December 1, 2017 at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent through: www.brownwynne.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home.
January 24, 2018
Friend
Steve Walker
Mrs. Durham; I am so sorry for your loss. I am a neighbor that lives down the street. For many, many years, Mr. Durham and I would cross paths while we were walking in the neighborhood. Whatever direction I was walking in, I would always stop and connect with Mr. Durham and we'd walk and talk for a while. He was always so kind and friendly. He would keep me posted on all of his family. He told me many interesting stories of his long, varied and important career, going all the way back to his days at Emory University.
I know that he thought the world of all of his family, and I know that this must be a tough time for you. I just wanted you to know that one neighbor, who none of you that survive Mr. Durham knows, thought the world of him and greatly enjoyed our frequent contacts. He will be truly missed by me.
Sincerely and with my deepest sympathy,
Steve Walker
January 9, 2018
Jeana Hyman
David Durham, I'm so sorry for the loss of your dad. He was a GREAT man. Me and my mom are praying for you and your family
December 7, 2017
Friend
Charlette Seals
Sarah my prayers with you and the family...bill was an amazing man
December 2, 2017
Sara, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Bill lived a long and full life, and he will be missed.
Janice and Don Carpenter
December 1, 2017
Margaret Misenhaimer
DD SORRY ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR DAD MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
December 1, 2017
Thinking of you and your family at this time. Our prayers are with you.
The McCoy Family
November 30, 2017
Nancy Whalen
D.D. So sorry about the loss of your dad. Prayers for your family.
Nancy Whalen
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