William Duane Curtis, age 94, of Payson, passed away on July 26, 2026. Duane was born on May 30, 1932, in Payson, Utah to Monte DeVere and Effie Estella Bowen Curtis. He graduated from Payson High School in 1950. He served active duty in the National Guard from 1951-1956 as a Sargeant.
On September 25, 1952, he married the love of his life, Patsy Anne Downey in the Manti Temple. They were married for 66 years and had five children.
Duane worked many different jobs in his lifetime; busboy, farm hand, brick helper, Payson City electrical, as a laborer/bricklayer at Geneva Steel. He went to work for the Bureau of Reclamation with the Central Utah Project as a draftsman. He retired in 1992 after 36 years. He also served in the Payson City Volunteer Police Department.
Duane loved fishing, hunting, camping, and boating, especially at Lake Powell. He went on several cruises including Alaska, Bahamas, Eastern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, New England Coast, and Hawaii. He also traveled to Spain with his wife, Monte, DeLilah, Dorothy and Arlo.
Duane loved having a beautiful yard and garden, winning the Payson Yard of the Month twice. He also loved dogs and enjoyed his dinner dates to Texas Roadhouse and Panda.
He was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had a strong testimony. He served in the Bishopric, Ward Clerk, Sunday School, Young Men and several other callings. Duane was an avid reader, loved LDS literature, and read the entire Standard Works in 1992-93. Western books and movies were his favorite pastime.
Duane is survived by his children; Debra Ann Weight (Gary), David Duane Curtis (Carolyn), Brenda Lynn Burdick (Brad), William Brian Curtis (Alison), and Jeremy Dee Curtis (Leesa). He is survived by his 18 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and his brother Monte. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy, 2 grandkids Daniel and Allee and 2 great-grandchildren Thomas and Kennedy, his parents, a brother, Ray, his sister, Dorothy, and an infant sister.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Walker Funeral Home at 587 South 100 West Payson, Utah. A visitation will be held prior to the Celebration of Life from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. He will be buried alongside his wife at Payson City Cemetery.
The family would like to thank I Care Hospice for their loving care, especially Bonnie and Cory.
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