William Erhardt Duff

William Erhardt Duff died on Wednesday, April 18th, 2018, at the age of 29 after a brief battle with a heart infection.  Will was born on May 28, 1988, in New Jersey, and spent his childhood and teenage years growing up in Hillsborough, NJ.  After graduating from Hillsborough High School in 2006, he attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he earned a dual degree in Environmental Studies and History.  He spent several years after graduation working in Colorado and enjoying the mountains, the robust music scene and a network of good friends.  In 2013, he moved to New Orleans to work for a small non-profit dedicated to environmental causes.  He quickly felt an affinity for New Orleans, including the vibrant music scene, its culinary delights and the warmth of New Orleanians.  He recently began working for Crescent Payroll Services, where he quickly became a valued and well-liked colleague.

Will is survived by his parents, Amy and Howard Duff of Hillsborough, New Jersey, his two brothers, Andrew Duff of Brooklyn New York and Tristan Duff of Glassboro, New Jersey, his maternal grandmother, Selma Erhardt, of Highland Park, New Jersey, his aunts and uncles – Eliza Erhardt Eisen and Glenn Eisen of Portland, Oregon and Drew Erhardt and Blair Paley of Sherman Oaks, California - his beloved but somewhat neurotic dog, Monty, and his soulmate, Alexandra Simon.  He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Warren Erhardt, his paternal grandparents, William and Isabel Duff, and his paternal uncle, George Duff.

Will had a warm and engaging personality, coupled with innate kindness and positivity, that allowed him to make a large number of close friends wherever he was.  Many of those friendships were established through a mutual love of music, which was one of Will’s passions, along with traveling and enjoying the outdoors.  If a person’s life is measured by the quality and depth of the friendships cultivated during his lifetime, then Will lived an extraordinarily full life. 

Visiting hours will begin at 12noon, Saturday, May 26, 2018 at the Elks Somerville Lodge, 375 Union Ave.,  Bridgewater, NJ and conclude with a celebration of his life at 1PM.   In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Roots of Music, a New Orleans-based organization that Will volunteered for.  The Roots of Music empowers the youth of that city through music education, academic support and mentorship while preserving and promoting the unique musical and cultural heritage of New Orleans.  Donation can be made via the organization’s website  at therootsofmusic.org. Please enter Will Duff under “Purpose of Donation.”

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