William T. Durden born January 29, 1952 in Columbus Ga, passed away early Saturday December 14, after spending days surrounded by family and friends.

Bill was born and raised in Columbus Ga, where his father was a physician and his mother a homemaker. Bill loved telling stories about weekends at the family river house and summer vacations out west. Bill and Debbie met in high school and courted through college; they married in August of 1973. He has a BS in Chemistry from North Georgia College. After a few years as a chemist for Kraft foods, Bill returned to school and earned his master's degree in horticulture from Auburn. It was in a small fruits course at Auburn that the idea for Berry Patch Farms was born. He and Debbie bought 40 acres in Cherokee County where they grew varying combinations of raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, pumpkins and Christmas trees for over 40 years. During this time Bill went to work with his older brother John, at Durden Enterprises, a plastic injection molding company. He also went back to school to get his MBA at Kennesaw State University. Bill enjoyed coaching volleyball, kayaking, hiking, rafting, tubing, woodcarving, blacksmithing among other things.

Bill's proudest accomplishments were people. He was a devoted father, grandfather, husband, uncle, friend, and mentor. Bill loved helping Will accomplish his dream of owning a horse farm. He enjoyed adventuring with Katie, down a river, in the jeep or on the volleyball court. Bill mentored countless young people through Berry Patch farms for 40+ years and coaching volleyball for 10+ years. Bill was amazing at fostering friendships, and this was evident with the number of visitors who filled his room during his final days.

He was proceeded in death by his father, John G. Durden, mother Marjorie P. Durden and, his son William G. Durden.

Bill is survived by his wife of 51 years Debbie, his brother John (wife Mary), his daughter Katie (husband Ben), son-in-law Jonathan, grandchildren Everly and Luke, brother-in-law Mike Sellers (Kim), brother-in-law Stan Sellers (wife Karla), nieces Ashley Prolizo, Jackie Peckrul, nephew Stanton Sellers and 7 grandnieces and nephews.

A service honoring Bill will be held Saturday, December 28. Receiving of friends will be held from 11:00-1:00 with memorial service to follow, at Lakeside Funeral Home in Woodstock, Ga.