William Robert Tucker

William "Bill" Tucker was born with a gift: An instinct for understanding how things worked. Growing up in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, he could fix nearly anything he touched, a talent that would shape his entire life. He also had a love for the water and ships, born from helping his father on the family's lobster boat as a young boy.

After graduating from South Kingstown High School, Bill joined the United States Navy, where he combined his love of the ocean and ships with his intelligence and discipline which earned him entry into one of the service's most demanding programs: Nuclear Power School at Bainbridge, Maryland in 1964. He trained at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in Schenectady, New York, before joining the pre-commissioning unit for the USS Truxtun (DLGN-35), the Navy's first nuclear-powered guided missile frigate as a part of the reactor plant acceptance test program. Bill operated and tested nuclear reactor plants with precision and care. His commanding officers praised him as "An extremely reliable Petty Officer who readily accepts assigned tasks and completes them promptly" and "A dependable contributor, admired by his shipmates for his professionalism and morale. He rose to Electronic Technician Second Class (ETR2) and playing a vital role in bringing the Truxtun to life, on which he earned his shellback status when he crossed the equator, responded to the USS Pueblo incident, and served off the coast of Vietnam during the Vietnam War as a part of the USS Enterprise Group while stationed in New Jersey. Fate stepped in, a blind bowling date took an unexpected turn when the original date stayed home sick, and Mary Ann arrived instead. That twist of fate led to their marriage November 5, 1966, building a life rooted in love, humor, and resilience.

After his honorable discharge, Bill returned to Rhode Island and transformed his Navy precision into civilian mastery, becoming and extraordinary electrician. His colleagues knew him for his craftmanship, his dependability, and ability to solve any problem, as well as his quiet pride in work done right.

Bill was most himself in the quiet of the garage, working on cars, surrounded by the smell of oil and the promise of possibility. His pride and joy was his 1936 Packard with a 454 blown big block Chevy engine. Cars weren't just a hobby, they were expressions of love, patience, and dedication. Some of his happiest days were spent with his son Andy, working on the Chevy Malibu, or driving cross-country to meet his daughter Margaret in Colorado, bonding through miles of open road. He loved visiting Mystic Seaport, indulging in spicy food, a cup of tea, and candy corn, and finding humor in every day. Beneath his calm exterior lived a man of profound integrity, humor and heart.

Bill was deeply proud of his three children, Margaret, Andrew, and Vanessa, and found joy in their accomplishments and the families they built.

He is survived by his daughter Margaret Liss; his son Andrew Tucker and his wife Jane, and their children Lily and Samuel; and his daughter Vanessa Petersen and her husband Chris, and their children Robert, Thomas, and Ella. He will also be remembered by many dear friends who shared his love for cars, craftsmanship, and conversation.

Those who knew Bill Tucker remember a man who never sought attention but earned admiration through integrity, intelligence, and unwavering devotion. He lived by a simple code, Do the work, Do it well, and Do it honestly. He was loved beyond measure. His steady hands, gentle humor, and deep sense of duty live on in those who cherish his memory.

Fair Winds and Following Seas, Sailor.

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