WAYCROSS — William Albert “W.A.” Dukes, Sr., 86, of Waycross, passed away peacefully Friday morning, December 27, 2024, at Satilla Hospice House following an extended illness.

Born April 15, 1938 in Waycross, Dukes was the son of the late Eston Grant Dukes, Sr. and Alice Roberta Swindell Dukes.

After graduating from Waresboro High School in 1958, Dukes married the love of his life, Norma Jean Mullis Dukes, March 9, 1959. The couple initially moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where Dukes worked in the retail shoe business with his uncle, Alvin M. Dukes. They returned to Waycross in 1970.

He began his career in Waycross with Independent Life Insurance Company before venturing into the grocery business. Dukes purchased Shoemakers’ Grocery on Glenmore Avenue, renaming it Dukes’ Grocery. In 1977, he opened Dukes’ Mini Mart on Albany Avenue, which his family operated until 1996.

Dukes’s passion for gospel music was deeply ingrained in his life. Inspired by Hovie Lister and the Statesmen Quartet, who once performed for him while he recovered from Rheumatic Fever, Dukes developed a remarkable singing voice. He graced numerous local weddings and funerals with his talent and sang with the Pleasant Valley Quartet for many years.

An active member of Pineview Baptist Church, Dukes served as a deacon and song leader.

He was preceded in death by his son, Douglas Scott Dukes; and his brother, Eston Grant Dukes, Jr.

Dukes is survived by his beloved wife of almost 67 years, Norma Dukes; his sons, Al Dukes (wife Melody) of Rock Hill, S.C., and Ted Dukes of Locust Grove, Ga.; his sisters, Roberta Dukes Cohen of Waycross and Susan Dukes Brake of Jesup; sisters- in-law, Eveline Mullis Head (husband Archie) of Waresboro and Paula Cribb Palmer (husband Jim) of Waresboro; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and a first cousin, David Dukes of Douglas.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Music Funeral Home Chapel.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until 2:45 p.m., the day of the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Satilla Hospice House, 811 Beacon Street, Waycross, 31501.

The family would also like to extend their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the staff of Satilla Hospice House for the remarkable compassion and care shown to our loved one during the last days of his life.