William Harry Durham

William Harry Durham of Clemson passed away March 4, 2026, two days short of his 94th birthday. He was the husband of the late Ina B. Durham.

A funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church in Clemson on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 2 pm. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Harry’s memory may be made to First Baptist Church of Clemson or the Clemson University Foundation.

Born in Fort Payne, Alabama on March 6, 1932, Harry was the son of the late Jesse Clifford Durham and Gladys Wilder Durham. He met his wife of nearly seventy years while they were students at Alabama Polytechnic Institute in Auburn. Following marriage and graduation, Harry served on active duty with the US Army in West Germany where his daughter Kathy was born. A son, Kelly, joined the family in 1958. After completing graduate school at the University of North Carolina, Harry entered private business in Atlanta.

In late 1960, he accepted a job as radio-TV editor for the Clemson College department of Agricultural Communications. After a two-year stint at Duke University, Harry returned to Clemson University in 1966. He established the university’s first television studio and directed its photographic and audio/visual services. In 1980, Harry was named executive director of university relations, combining all university electronic and print media public relations in one department. He retired from the university in 1993 as the associate vice president for university relations. Despite his busy professional life, Harry was active in the community, serving as a Rotarian, member of the Chamber of Commerce, and board member of the Carolina/Georgia Blood Center. He also continued to serve his country, retiring from the Army Reserves with the rank of colonel.

Harry was noted for his engaging personality and curious mind. Through Clemson Baptist Church, he and Ina “adopted” Clemson University students inviting them into their home, treating them like family members, and establishing lasting relationships. They also taught and mentored a young couples Sunday School class at the church which resulted in life-long friendships.

Throughout his life, Harry’s greatest joy was his family. In addition to being a wonderful father, he cherished close relationships with his five granddaughters and looked forward to family gatherings, trips, and vacations.

Harry is survived by daughter Kathy Pettit (Jeff) of Simpsonville; son Kelly (Yvonne) of Clemson; granddaughters Kari Lynch (Justin) of Paris Mountain; Heidi Wood (Dan) of Cayce; Mary Kate Elliott (JD) of Columbia; Addison Durham of Nashville, TN; and Callie Durham of Nashville, TN. He is also survived by great grandchildren Kellan and Rowan Lynch, and Collins and Cal Elliott.

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home & Cremations, Central-Clemson Commons.