Ocean Springs
Funeral Home
Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home
Visitation
Service
Memorial service, 11 am, Tuesday, November 12, 2024, First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs.
Obituary
Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on Nov 4, 2024 and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Captain William Duff Darnell, age 51, who had served within the 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.
Obituary, visitation, and services:
William Duff Darnell, 51 of Ocean Springs passed away at his residence Monday, November 4, 2024.
Duff was born on September 30, 1973, in Cleveland, MS and was a devoted son, husband, father, brother, and friend. Known for his unwavering dedication to his country, Duff left a profound impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Duff was a graduate of South Panola High School and after graduating he went on to attend Marion Military Institute and became a Morgan’s Raider. Upon graduating, Duff attended college at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado earning a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. While enrolled in school, he proudly served as President of his fraternity Phi Delta Theta.
In 2006, Duff enlisted in the United States Army and served his country honorably for 11 years, including one tour in Iraq. His time in the military was marked by a strong sense of duty, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the freedoms we hold dear. He was decorated with many honors and completed one of the most challenging courses for which a Soldier can volunteer: Army Ranger School. Not only was Duff privileged enough to don the Army Ranger Tab on his uniform, but he also earned one of the United States military’s fourth highest decorations for valor medal, the Bronze Star. The military allowed him to form bonds of friendship and loyalty that remained with him long after his service.
In 2017, Duff moved to the Gulf Coast, where he quickly embraced the community and natural beauty of the area. Duff enjoyed spending free time driving his Jeep, camping at Paul B. Johnson State Park and countless trips to the shooting range with his son, Cooper. Duff recently wed Allison March 2, 2024.
Duff is preceded in death by his father, William Alfred “Bill” Darnell.