William Lynn Durham, 89, known affectionately as Bill or "Bull", went to be with the Lord on December 15, 2024 while recovering from a broken hip. Born in San Antonio on June 22, 1935, to Lynn and Dee Durham, his family moved to Houston during WW2, eventually settling in Lufkin where he graduated from Lufkin High School in 1953.

Bill attended the University of Texas at Austin where he graduated with a Bachelor's in Business Administration in 1957. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. During his senior year, Bill met Gretchen Werner on her first date as a freshman at UT. In 1959, they were married in Houston. Bill attended UT Law School where he was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity graduating in 1960. He was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General program of the United States Air Force where he was stationed in Los Angeles, advancing to the rank of Captain. Moving back to Texas, Bill practiced law in Houston with Murfee & Hoover and was legal counsel for Central Power & Light in Corpus Christi. In 1969, Bill moved his family to Huntsville and became a partner in Davis, Davis, Hornbuckle & Durham. He practiced real estate, banking, probate and health care law with wonderful law partners for over 60 years before retiring and closing the firm in 2021 as Davis, Durham & Haggard. Bill was honored to represent First National Bank of Huntsville, Huntsville Memorial Hospital, Gibbs Brothers, Byrd Enterprises and Bayes Achievement Center among other clients. One of his crowning achievements that he was most proud of was handling the complex legalities of Huntsville Memorial Hospital's expansion to its current location in 1979. Bill served on the Board of Directors for First National Bank of Huntsville and Huntsville Memorial Hospital. He was also the first president of the Forest Hills Pool Association and served on the board of Elkins Lake. Being a shareholder for Huntsville Abstract & Title Company, his law office was located at the title company for his last 5 years in practice. As a lawyer, Bill was known to be a fierce and loyal negotiator for his clients with a precise eye for detail.

Bill's life demonstrated the importance of faith and family. Accepting Christ as his Savior at a young age, he shared the legacy of his faith with his children and grandchildren. He loved reading and studying details of the Bible and enjoyed gospel music. Bill also served faithfully as an elder and deacon at First Presbyterian Church where he was a member for over 50 years. Family meant everything to Bill. He was so happy to raise his family in a small town where you knew everyone. Bill and Gretchen loved annual family driving vacations especially to Colorado and spending time with their family. He supported his children and grandchildren by attending their golf, twirling, baseball, swim, basketball, cheer, and dance performances over the years. In later years, Bill had Texas football season tickets with Kate and attended three Rose Bowls with Will including the 2005 Longhorn National Title. A self taught and avid golfer for decades, he enjoyed playing golf with good friends and family at Elkins Lake usually with a friendly wager involved. Bill was fortunate to attend the Masters and play golf at Pinehurst, Colonial and Indian Wells. He was so proud to be a Huntsvillian, Huntsville Hornet fan and Texas Longhorn alum.

Bill is preceded in death by his loving parents, Lynn and Dee Durham; sister and brother in law Charles and Jean Reed; and brother in law Mike Werner. Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Gretchen; son, Will Durham and wife Kathy of Huntsville; daughter, Kate Dean and husband Michael of Georgetown; and grandchildren, Gwynn and Luke Durham, and Julian and Patton Dean; and sister in law Judy Werner. Bill was blessed to have wonderful caregivers, Betty Humphrey Mills and Samaria Boone, who along with the staff at HMH, gave him encouragement during his last months on earth when he needed it the most.

A memorial service to celebrate Bill's life will be held on December 27, 2024, at 1:00pm, at the First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville. Honorary pallbearers are Ralph Beaty, Sam Burris, Don Crawford, Charlie Davis, Wayne Davis, Michael Durham, Fern Frosh, Sam Johnson, Ron Lange, Mike Park, Joe Sandel, and Jerry Sandel. The family will receive friends at a reception following the service in the church fellowship hall.

2 Timothy 4:7

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."