Willie Lucento

1932 - 2024

Willie Lucento, 91, passed away on January 2, 2024. He was born August 17, 1932, in Bud, WV. Willie was the last of seven children born to the late Orazio Lucento, Sr, and Angelina Bevilacqua, also of Bud, WV. He served two years in the US Army before returning home and marrying his wife Eleanor Updike of Harrisonburg, VA, in 1955. Willie worked with NACA/NASA in September 1956, attending apprentice school as an electrician, and then graduating as an Electrical Engineering Technician. He enjoyed working at NASA and was instrumental in designing and engineering operational control circuits supporting research test facilities. Willie retired from NASA in 1988 after 35 years. After retirement, he started working with his son, Timothy, at his Auto Body Shop, Tim's Custom Painting and Restoration, in January 1989 and worked there for 33 years. Willie was a member of Warwick Memorial United Methodist Church. He enjoyed classic cars and attending car shows. Willie was preceded in death by his loving wife, Eleanor Updike Lucento; his brother Orazio Jr.; and sisters, Helen Lucento, Virginia Vance, Gloria Pishitelli, and Sonja Scott.

He is survived by a daughter, Tanya Badgett; son, Timothy Lucento; grandchildren, Mandelo and wife Niami Lowery, Brittany, Nikki, Juliana, and Evan; great-grandchildren, Audie, Millie, and Emric Orazio; brother Tracy Lucento and wife Marty of Williamsburg; along with several nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Monday, January 8, 2024, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home, followed by a funeral service on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Rev. Angie Hoen. Interment will follow at Peninsula Memorial Park. The service will be live-streamed beginning at 2:00 p.m. at www.peninsulafuneralhome.com/video.