William Richard Duffey

William Richard "Dick" Duffey, 83, formerly of Cambridge, who died Thursday (February 21, 2008) at Summit Acres Nursing Home, Caldwell, where he resided since suffering strokes in 2005. He was born March 20, 1924, in Cambridge, son of the late Joseph Thomas and Bessie Mabel (Johnston) Duffey. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty E. (Bay) Duffey, whom he married September 6, 1947 and who died October 3, 2004; a daughter, Kathryn Lynn Duffey; a brother, Ralph Duffey; and a great-grandson, Cameron M. Bradison. Mr. Duffey was co-owner of Cambridge Small Homes with his brother, Ralph, for 35 years. They built or remodeled over 100 homes or commercial properties before retirement. He was a lifelong member of Unity Presbyterian Church, as an elder, deacon, trustee and Sunday school teacher. He was always ready to help. He was well known for carpentry in the church, and along with his father built the library shelves and chapel furnishing. He was a member of the Guernsey Valley Old Car Club and still attended the meetings. Earlier he enjoyed collecting parts to restore his 1922 Model T. In prior years he was a 4-H advisor and council member, a member of Toastmasters, and was active in the PTA while his six children were in school. According to friends, Dick always had a joke or a story to tell. He was an avid reader with his own extensive library. He rarely missed an Ohio State University Buckeye game as two of his children were alumni. Mr. Duffey was a U.S. Navy veteran serving during World War II. He served aboard the Bon Homme Richard as an aircraft mechanic. This prompted his love of flying and in later years he enjoyed jaunts around Ohio with his grandson, Michael, and great-grandson, Robbie, with Terry Losego as pilot. He leaves two sons, Don (Teresa) Duffey of Statesville, N. Car. and Charles "Chip" (Jody) Duffey of Ocala, Fla.; three daughters, Nancie (Duffey) Hayes of Cambridge, Judith Duffey of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and Wilma (Bill) Stevenson of Lauderhill, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Dennis J. (Amy) Patterson, Wesley Whitaker, Christopher Whitaker, Michael L. Hayes, Bethany L. Hayes, Megan L. (Eric) Bradison, Jana McAllister and Rebecca S. Duffey; and six great-grandchildren, Alexander L. Patterson, Robert L. Hayes, Nathan Bradison, Morgan E. Bradison, Nolan Whitaker and Sidney Patterson. Memorial contributions may be sent to the American Heart Association, the American Stroke Association, or the Stained Glass Window Fund at Unity Presbyterian Church, Cambridge. Family and friends may call on Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Thorn-Black Funeral Home, Cambridge. Visitation will also be held on Tuesday from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Unity Presbyterian Church, Cambridge. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday (February 26, 2008) at 1 p.m. at Unity Presbyterian Church, Cambridge, with Rev. Robert Millspaugh officiating. Burial will be at Northwood Cemetery, Cambridge.