Ralph Lee Durham, 78, of Bay City passed away June 7, 2010. The youngest of five children, Ralph was born on July 19, 1931 to Jack and Lydia Walker Durham in Fort Payne, Alabama.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty Durham and their children Ralph A. Durham and Brenda Sheppard of Magnolia, Beth and Perry Gillett of Monaville & Russell and Debbie Durham of Bay City.

Ralph was a kind man who served his country in the Korean Conflict and was retired from Celenese. He will be remembered for his years of enjoying gardening, fishing, hunting with his grandsons and telling tall tales to his coffee-drinking buddies at Diamond S.

Other survivors include his grandchildren Dustin and Samantha Durham of Selkirk; Larry and Roxanne Gillett of Manassas, VA; Troy and Lauren Gillett of Fountain, CO, Chance & Mallory Gillett of Conroe; Jeremy Durham and Kristi of Katy; Carter Capehart of Chicago, IL. Great Grandchildren include Kaitlyn and Wyatt Durham of Selkirk; Victoria, Christian, Alexander and Matthew Gillett of Manassas, VA; Ryan Gillett of Fountain, CO & his special dog, Opie.

Ralph is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law George & Inez Durham of Rome, GA and Bill & Goldie Durham of Fort Payne, AL; sister-in-law Barbara Winnette of Winter Haven, FL; several nieces & nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters Eloise Durham Suttles & Phyliss Durham Dingler.

The family will receive friends and family from 7PM to 8PM Wednesday at the funeral home. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Thursday, June 10, 2010 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home with Rev. John Mollet officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Marvin Harvel, Quentin Watkins, Bernie Spence, Tommy Harkey, Curtis Franklin and Roger Bennett. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Diamond S Coffee Club. Memorial may be made to Houston Hospice-El Campo; 1102 N. Mechanic; El Campo, TX 77437.