Eugene Ballard Duke

Eugene (Beno) Ballard Duke was welcomed Home by his Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 26, 2017. He was born June 19, 1939 in Stuttgart, Arkansas to Frank and Kattie Mae Connor Duke. Sergeant Major Eugene Duke retired from the Army National Guard after 45 years of service. He joined the Guard as a Private First Class in Company C 875th Engineers. He was also a full-time military technician for the National Guard. He worked for 20 years as an organizational mechanic in Stuttgart before transferring to a position at Camp Robinson. His last assignment before retirement was as a maintenance mechanic supervisor. While in the Guard, he earned the Meritorious Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with silver oak leaf cluster and two bronze oakleaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and gold hourglass and bronze hourglass, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with 4" device, Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, Army National Guard Career Counselor Badge, and the Arkansas Service Ribbon with silver diamond and two bronze diamonds. Beno was an avid outdoorsman and woodworker. He enjoyed playing dominoes and working puzzles. But, he enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his friends at the Ulm Hunting club where he had been a member for 56 years. He was past President of the Kiwanis and was Constable two terms for the Gumwood community. Beno was of the Baptist faith and was a charter member of Southside Baptist Church in Stuttgart. Beno was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Charles (Buddy) Duke and John Duke; two step-sons, Roger Hillis and Joey Hillis. He is survived by his wife, Sue Hillis Duke; son, Mark Duke (Myra) of Stuttgart; daughter, Frances Graham; step-daughter, Susan Pitts (Mike); step-son, Dennis Fox (Janet) all of England; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and one brother, Frank Duke (Marie) of Stuttgart. Visitation will be held at Roller England Funeral Home (501)-842-3939 from 3-6 p.m. on October 29, 2017. No formal service will be held. After cremation, Beno's final resting place will be at Hunter's Chapel Cemetery, Casscoe, Arkansas. Memorials may be made to Hunter's Chapel Methodist Church, 225 Shelton Ln., Casscoe, Arkansas, 72026. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/england.