LCDR William Everett Lucas, 87, passed away Aug. 27, 2019 in Pensacola FL. Born March 4, 1932 in Marysville, one of 12 children, to William A & Catheryn Lucas. At age 17 he left school to join the U.S. Army starting a unique Armed Forces career. After serving in the Korea Conflict, Bill returned home to finish high school.
After graduating, hoping to become a pilot, he joined the Air Force, then the Marines where he was accepted into the Navy Cadet Flight Training Program. In 1956 he was commissioned a Navy Ensign, received his Gold Wings in 1957, and became a Naval Aviator flying both helicopter and fixed wing aircraft.
While in Pensacola, he met the love of his life, Connie & soon married. They started their family and enjoyed their different duty stations, Key West, FL – HS1; Ellyson Field, FL HT8; Port Lyautey Kenitra, Morocco; Lake Hurst, NJ HC4; Whiting Field, Fla.; and Imperial Beach, Calif. “LUKE” (his aviator call sign) was also deployed to Antarctica (Operation Deep Freeze) and Vietnam. Notably his helicopter was one that took pictures of a large iceberg that appeared on a Life magazine cover.
LCDR Lucas received numerous Medals and Commendations which include:
BRONZE STAR -“V”–(2) Korea & Vietnam; Air Medal (8);Navy Presidential Unit Citation; Navy Unit Commendation (3); Army Good Conduct Medal; Navy Good Conduct Medal (4); National Defense (2)–Korea & Vietnam; Korean Service Medal-1 Silver Star & 1 Bronze Star; Antarctic Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; United Nations Service Medal –Korea; COMNAVFOR-V Unit Citation-USS Liberty / USS America Crisis; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device; and many other significant awards and letters of appreciation.
After retiring in 1971, Mr. Lucas flew for RCA, then Petroleum Helicopters, became a regional supervisor for Majik Market Stores, was a long-haul trucker for North American Van Lines and the U.S. Post Office, built homes from drawing up architectural plans to final com- pletion in various parts of Pensacola, repaired comput- ers, collected antique sewing machines and built furni- ture which his children still have in their homes today.
Preceded in death by his parents, six sisters, a brother and his Beloved Kitty Cats Kico & Splash.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Connie, son Mark Lucas, daughters Linda Cassidy and Teresa Lucas, grandchildren Sonya Cervantes, Lucas Cassidy, Stephen Lucas, Kamier (“Come Ear”) Lucas & Georgina; great- granddaughters Cassidy and Cadence Cervantes; Sisters, Joanne Liles, Florence Curtis, Sharon Deardorff and Kay Taylor, special nephew Michael Lucas and many more nieces and nephews.
Memorial Services will be held on Sept. 27 at 10:30 a.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Procession will leave Oak Lawn Funeral Home at 10 a.m.