Bill Durden

Mr. Bill Durden, age 94, of Vidalia, died Tuesday, August 13, 2019, in Meadows Park Health and Rehabilitation in Vidalia, after an extended illness.  He was born in Douglas, graduated from Appling County High School in 1943.  He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II serving at Okinawa, and was the recipient of Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Purple Heart, American Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Army Occupation Medal.  After the war, he graduated from the University of Georgia in 1949 and worked with Georgia Revenue for seven years.  In 1956, Mr. Durden founded Durden Chevrolet in Lyons and in 1978 purchased Durden Chevrolet and Cadillac in Vidalia.  In 1993, he and his son purchased Unique Chevrolet and also owned the Chrysler dealership in Vidalia.  He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Vidalia, the Men’s Bible Class and was a former active member of the First United Methodist Church of Lyons.  Also, he served on the Board of Directors for Peoples Bank for many years.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie Oscar Durden, Sr. and Mattie M. Merrier Durden; one brother, Charlie Oscar Durden, Jr. and a sister, Martha Nell Winstead.

Mr. Durden is survived by his wife of forty-six years, Judy Durden of Vidalia; four children, Bruce Durden and wife Sarah of Lyons, Glenn Durden and wife Karon, Michael Turner and wife Denita, and Suzanne Mann, all of Vidalia; seven grandchildren, Heath Browning, Cassie Neal and husband Jody, Cameron Durden and wife Anna, Eric Durden and wife Allender, Hope Hall and husband Bo, Whitney Burkett and husband Justin, and Jamey Turner and wife Brittney; thirteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held Friday, August 16th, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall with Reverend David Blalock and Reverend Jim Smith officiating.  Entombment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens with military honors.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday morning from 9:00 until just prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Durden requested memorial contributions be made to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 150, Vidalia, GA, 30475.

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