William Duncan McDavid, Sr. born to Maude Duncan and Wiley Joel McDavid on April 11, 1912 has died in the home he was born in. Duncan attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA.  While there he joined Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.  He was captain of his swimming team and set many collegiate records that remained unbroken for many years.  Duncan was also captain of the golf team.  He was a member of ODK Honor Society and graduated from W&L with a degree in chemistry.  After college, Duncan worked at Newport Industries until he enlisted in the Navy during World War II becoming an ordinance specialist.  He attained the rank of Lt. Commander and spent most of his tour in the New Hebrides Islands (now the Republic of Vanuatu).  After leaving the Navy he returned to Newport Industries as a research chemist in Naval Stores.  While there he was granted several patents for chemical processes.  Newport Chemicals sent him to France in the early 60’s to collaborate with international chemists.  Later in his career he became Product Sales Manager for Paper and Rubber Chemicals with Tenneco Newport and then with Reichhold Chemicals Newport Division.  He traveled over most of the Southeastern and Midwestern United States increasing sales for his company.  He made many friends during his long career, retiring from Reichhold Newport after 50 years of service.  Duncan’s favorite hobby was golf.  He was a member of Pensacola Country Club for 68 years.  After college he won the Alabama State Golf Amateur of the Year Award in 1937.  He started playing when he was 14 and continued his sport into his early 80’s.  Getting a “hole in one” eluded Duncan for years but he finally succeeded while in his 70’s on Hole #2 at PCC.  Golf helped my Dad seal many a deal in the business world.  He used to joke that he was “working in the field”.  When clients would visit Pensacola they always wanted to play with him because of his low handicap and his genuine good nature and love of people.  Duncan was a member of First United Methodist Church for 50 years and served on the Administrative Board and many committees.  Duncan is survived by his wife of 60 years, Blanch Lamar McDavid and by his son and namesake, William Duncan McDavid Jr.and by our pet Labrador Retriever, “Rusty”.  Honorary pallbearers are Jack Baldwin, Claydon Attridge, Henry Cary, Brent Watson, Alan Nelson, Sam Love, Ace Barton, Frank Delorenzo, Clem Connally, and Thomas Wicke.  Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Mark LaBlanche and the Rev. Larry Moseley, officiating.  Friends are invited to attend.  A private burial will take place in St. John’s Cemetery at a later date.  The family requests that memorials be made to the Living Trust of First United Methodist Church, 6 E. Wright St., Pensacola, FL 32501 or to Hospice of NW Florida Inc., 2001 N. Palafox St., Pensacola, FL 32501.  Waters and Hibbert Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

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