1921
Wilfred
2006
Wilfred "Bill" Durkee
July 14, 1921 — April 3, 2006
Wilfred" Bill" Durkee was born in Oakland, California to Ruth and Wilfred Durkee. He was raised in Burlingame and Berkeley, California. He graduated from Berkley High School in 1929 and went on to attend the University of California Berkeley until 1942. During his high school years, he was an outstanding athlete and excelled in track, football and basketball. His senior year, Bill was selected 1st string All Alameda County Athletic League. His college athletic career began in December of 1939 when he was the starting center on Cal's freshman basketball team. During his sophomore and junior years he was the second string center on the varisty team and in 1942, he scored 17 points in the second half of Cal's win over UCLA. In college, Bill was a proud member of Beta Theta Phi-Omega Chapter.
In July of 1942, Bill decided to leave college and join the U.S. Army. He was enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army Coast Guard Artillery ( Anti- Aircraft Division),commisioned 2nd lieutenant in January of 1943 and as a 1st lieutenant in August of 1943. He was stationed in Hawaii and was named the athletic and recreation officer for the Hawaiian Anti-Aircraft Command . in 1946 Bill returned to Cal to complete his college education and continue his athletic career. He competed on the track team, football team and was the starting guard for the Cal Basketball team. During Bill's final game at Cal, the Bears set an all time scoring record for the most points scored in a game with a total of 88 points scored against Standford. This record lasted for 10 years. In October of 1947, Bill was the starting guard in the first game ever played by the Minneapolis Lakers. He played two years with the Lakers team that also featured the all time great center, George Milkan. He did not return for a third season due to the NBA imposed salary cap.
Bill moved to Las Vegas in 1954 and after several jobs was hired on at the Nevada Test Site in the personnel office as the head of recreation among other duties for 30 years.
While there he met is beautiful wife, Lois and was married October 13,1961. On October 24,2002, they were sealed in the Las Vegas LDS Temple. From 1955-1993, he played Las Vegas City Fast-Pitch and Slow-Pitch and eiher played or managed seven Nevada State Fast-Pitch Championship teams and two Slow-Pitch State Championship teams. He also represented Nevada as player or manager in nine international Softball Congress Fast Pitch World Tournaments and in 1978, was the manger of the World Championship team. In later years, he went on to play with the Las Vegas Senior Teams in 16 National Championship Tournaments. On May 20,1995, Bill was inducted into the Las Vegas Softball Hall of Fame. Bill was an avid UNLV football and basketball fan and thouroughly enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in sports.
He is survived by his wife, Lois Wentz Durkee; daughters, Pam Ruggeroli and Barbara Blais; sons, John Durkee and Dan Durkee; daughters-in-law, Brenda Durkee and Cheri Durkee; son-law, Dr. Chuck Ruggeroli;13 grandchildren and four great-granchildren.
Memorial services were held on Saturday, April 8,2006 at 10:00 a.m. at Bunkers Mortuary
925 Las Vegas Blvd. North.
Burial was held on Monday, April 10,2006 at 9:20 a.m. at the Southern Nevada Veterans Cemetery, Boulder City, Nevada.
Donations can be made in Bill's memory to the American Heart Association or the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas
In July of 1942, Bill decided to leave college and join the U.S. Army. He was enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army Coast Guard Artillery ( Anti- Aircraft Division),commisioned 2nd lieutenant in January of 1943 and as a 1st lieutenant in August of 1943. He was stationed in Hawaii and was named the athletic and recreation officer for the Hawaiian Anti-Aircraft Command . in 1946 Bill returned to Cal to complete his college education and continue his athletic career. He competed on the track team, football team and was the starting guard for the Cal Basketball team. During Bill's final game at Cal, the Bears set an all time scoring record for the most points scored in a game with a total of 88 points scored against Standford. This record lasted for 10 years. In October of 1947, Bill was the starting guard in the first game ever played by the Minneapolis Lakers. He played two years with the Lakers team that also featured the all time great center, George Milkan. He did not return for a third season due to the NBA imposed salary cap.
Bill moved to Las Vegas in 1954 and after several jobs was hired on at the Nevada Test Site in the personnel office as the head of recreation among other duties for 30 years.
While there he met is beautiful wife, Lois and was married October 13,1961. On October 24,2002, they were sealed in the Las Vegas LDS Temple. From 1955-1993, he played Las Vegas City Fast-Pitch and Slow-Pitch and eiher played or managed seven Nevada State Fast-Pitch Championship teams and two Slow-Pitch State Championship teams. He also represented Nevada as player or manager in nine international Softball Congress Fast Pitch World Tournaments and in 1978, was the manger of the World Championship team. In later years, he went on to play with the Las Vegas Senior Teams in 16 National Championship Tournaments. On May 20,1995, Bill was inducted into the Las Vegas Softball Hall of Fame. Bill was an avid UNLV football and basketball fan and thouroughly enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in sports.
He is survived by his wife, Lois Wentz Durkee; daughters, Pam Ruggeroli and Barbara Blais; sons, John Durkee and Dan Durkee; daughters-in-law, Brenda Durkee and Cheri Durkee; son-law, Dr. Chuck Ruggeroli;13 grandchildren and four great-granchildren.
Memorial services were held on Saturday, April 8,2006 at 10:00 a.m. at Bunkers Mortuary
925 Las Vegas Blvd. North.
Burial was held on Monday, April 10,2006 at 9:20 a.m. at the Southern Nevada Veterans Cemetery, Boulder City, Nevada.
Donations can be made in Bill's memory to the American Heart Association or the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas
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