Harold Douglas Durden

Harold Douglas Durden, 90, of Bishop peacefully went to be with the Lord Sunday, February 3, 2013. He was at home with family and friends at his bedside.
Mr. Durden was the son of the late Alexander and Mattie Bell Durden. A resident of Oconee County, he retired from the local 72 Plumbers and Steamfitters. He was a faithful member of Elder Road Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Ann Durden and sons, Thomas Edward Thompson and Troy Samuel Thompson.
He was a veteran of the United States Army with honorable and distinctive service during World War II. Mr. Durden was a Platoon Sergeant who led his platoon of 50 men across the beach at Normandy in the second wave of soldiers. He was part of General George Patton's 22nd Infantry Regiment and was wounded on three separate occasions. He took part in five major campaigns as he fought in Normandy, Luxemburg, Northern France, Belgium and Germany during which time he earned the following medals: Silver Star, Bronze Star with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Eastern Theatre Medal with Silver Star, Good Conduct Medal, Presidential Citation, Lapel Button for Honorable Service. He was truly a great American Hero.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 6, 2013 2:00PM at Elder Road Baptist Church with Rev. Carlton Shelton officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the funeral home. Interment will be held at the Durden Family Cemetery.
Survivors include his daughter, Connie Durden, Bishop; son, Timmy Durden, Fayetteville, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Oconee Chapel Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.