Duane Franklin Siggins, 70, a one-time resident of Whidbey Island, was killed in a car accident on Aug. 27, 2002, in Florida, and Duane’s wife, Billee, died with him.

Duane was born Sept. 29, 1931, in Cody, Wyo., to Ruth and George Siggins, and moved to Ripon, Calif., as a young child. He graduated from Ripon Union High School in 1949, and Modesto Junior College in 1951. He married his childhood sweetheart, Katherine Sanford, in 1952, started a family, and began a career in the airline industry that spanned 30 years. Duane and Katherine made their home in several places, including San Jose, Calif., and Plymouth, Minn. Duane retired as a dispatcher from Northwest Airlines.

Mr. Siggins relocated to Whidbey Island in 1987, where he cared for Katherine until she died in 1991, after a long illness.

In 1996, Duane married Billee Curry, and they moved to Florida shortly thereafter. They shared many interests, including gourmet cooking and travelling.

Duane is survived by his three sons and their families: Rick and Anne Siggins of San Jose, Calif., Ken Siggins of Wailea, Hawaii, and Tim and Lisa Siggins of Newport News, Va.; by his niece Linda Luxem of El Paso, Texas, and nephew Thackery Thomas of Coupeville and by brother Gil and Connie Siggins of Portland, Ore.

A memorial service for the couple was held in their hometown in Florida on Sept. 2, and a service for Duane will also be held at Coupeville United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. Thursday Sept. 5, with Pastor Mary Boyd officiating. A short graveside service at Sunnyside Cemetery will follow the memorial service.