William Lucas

Throughout his life, Bill enthusiastically shared his time, love, and wisdom with strangers and family alike. He was a great friend, an amazing father, and an unmistakably generous member of the Kalamazoo community that he loved.

Born in the roaring jazz age of the 1920s, William became the son of James and Teresa (Manor) Lucas of Newport, Michigan. He arrived on August 9, 1922, completing the family as his parents' fifth son. Since Bill succeeded his next oldest brother by nearly nine years, the age gap left no doubt that Bill was the youngest. His family took every opportunity to remind him of this fact, doing things like seating him at the “little table” during large family gatherings. And since some of Bill's brothers were also forced to sit at this humiliating table, they harassed their youngest brother relentlessly. They would continually ask Bill to pass food back and forth across the table, meaning Bill got to enjoy little of what was on his own plate. These family gatherings also forced the boys to share sleeping space, with little Bill getting crowded into a bed that was so full, the kids all had to sleep crosswise. Despite the bullying and discomfort, Bill enjoyed the attention of his brothers and welcomed any chance to be in their company.

Growing up in Detroit with a house full of boys, Bill developed a passion for baseball and football early on. He went on to play football in high school, during which time he also secured his first job as an ice delivery man. Bill later worked in a gun shop as well, learning all he could from the local gunsmith. Bill balanced his job and schoolwork very well. Unfortunately, however, his otherwise pleasant teenage years were disrupted by the early deaths of his parents. Bill began living with his brother Joe for the remainder of high school and, after graduation, he went on to attend Adrian College. He studied and played football there until 1942, when he left to serve in the Navy at the height of World War II.

Bill met Doris Osborn, a student at Western Michigan University, while he was a Navy V12 officer trainee. Together they spent six months enjoying date after wonderful date. Bill then proposed and, after a six month engagement period, they married on December 26, 1944 in Washington D.C.’s St. Frances Xavier Church. Just two weeks after their beautiful ceremony, however, Bill was transferred to a naval base in Miami, Florida, where he was stationed on the USS Wichita (and later, the USS Macon). Before boarding the ship, Bill and Doris spent a few “honeymoon” months in Miami, though Bill was, because of his duties, absent from his new bride for most of the time.

After serving his time in the Navy, Bill returned to Kalamazoo where he eagerly embarked on his life together with Doris. To make a living, Bill began working for Sutherland Paper, eventually becoming Sales Manager. This job relocated Bill and his growing family to Allendale, New Jersey for a brief time, though they returned to Kalamazoo in 1961.

Bill loved being a father right from the start. He gave all the children baths as babies and continued to be very involved in their upbringings. He loved playing ball with “the boys,” which included his daughter Susanne. Even as kids, the Lucas children saw their father as the consummate dad, like a real life version of Ward Cleaver complete with strong moral values and an optimistic outlook.

After serving both Sutherland and Riverwood International over 21 years, Bill decided it was time for a change. With the children mostly grown, he and Doris moved to Monroe, Louisiana. There, Bill assumed the position of National Sales Manager with Olincraft where he remained for 8 years. After retiring in 1980, Bill built a vacation house just outside Hot Springs, Arkansas. He and Doris lived there for the next two years, but by 1983, they were anxious to return to Kalamazoo where they could be close to their family once again.

Bill enjoyed doing many things during retirement, but one of his most extraordinary new found hobbies was painting with oils. He created many pieces that his family fondly referred to as “genuine Grandpa Lucas” paintings. As a grandfather, Bill took amazing joy and delight in his grandchildren. When not entertaining them with his magic games, he was sure to be attending one of their recitals, sporting events, or school functions. And while his family was the focus of his life, Bill also enjoyed spending time tending to his roses. He was entrusted with the care of the rose gardens at St. Thomas More Catholic Church and even won Queen of Show from the Kalamazoo Rose Society. As for his favorite rose, Bill would be quick to say it was the Tropicanna without a doubt. In addition to gardening, Bill enjoyed golf, home improvement projects, and working with wood. Serving as a volunteer, whether at Catholic Family Services, ARK, and St. Thomas More, was also one of his favorite ways to spend his time.

Bill often said that marrying Doris was the best thing he had ever done. It was certainly a sentiment he proved in his everyday actions. Bill was always going out of his way to do nice things for his wife, though he did also enjoy playing an occasional good-spirited prank. On her last birthday, for example, Bill presented Doris with a very heavy box. When she opened it, she found a shoebox filled with hundreds of dollars in loose coins accompanied by the empty wrappers in which to roll them! Doris and her family will greatly miss Bill’s enthusiasm and fun-loving spirit, but they will always treasure the memories they created together.

William I. Lucas died on October 31, 2004 at Rose Arbor Hospice. He was preceded in death by his mother and father; his four brothers, Joseph, Frances, Lawrence, and John; and his son Matthew. Members of Bill’s family include: his wife Doris; son Mark (Shirley) Lucas and daughter Susanne Lucas, both of Kalamazoo; grandchildren Rebecca (Dr. Suresh) Potluri of Syracuse, NY, Todd Lucas of Ferndale, MI, Dr. Steven Lucas of Dallas, TX, Jonathan Fabian of Acapulo, Mexico, and Timothy (Sabrina) Kerney of Kalamazoo; great grandchildren Arianna Potluri, Sean Kerney and Steven Kerney, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Friends and family will be received at Betzler Life Story Funeral Home™ in Kalamazoo on Tuesday from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. with a scripture service at 7:30 the same evening. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 2 p.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Food and fellowship will follow back at St. Thomas More. Please visit Bill’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory, order flowers, or make a memorial contribution to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or to the St. Thomas More Building Fund.

While in the hospital before his death, Bill emphatically remarked, “Trying is not the only thing you can do; Trying is the best thing you can do.” After 82 years of life, Bill could say with certainty that, regardless of outcome, his life’s challenges had always been worthy of his best effort.