Wendell Crews “Duck” Claiborne Jr., 87, of Gaston passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2023. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Wendell Crews Claiborne Sr., and Ethel Carver Claiborne, and one sister Shearon Ingram (Edward). 

Wendell is survived by his wife Penny Kirkland Claiborne, son, Michael Crews Claiborne (Renee), daughters, April Conner Gill (Chris), and Shana Conner Sparrow, grandchildren Zoe Sebastian Sparrow (Holli), Liam Allen Gill, and Gwen Olivia Gill, and one great-grandchild, Dawson Parks. 

He was an army veteran. He retired from Champion International Paper Company after 45 years. 

Wendell was a member of First Baptist Church of Gaston. He had a love for radio control RC aircraft, math problems, crossword puzzles, and tinkering with cars. 

Online condolences can be made to www.wrennclarkehagan.com