Billy Lee Lucas

Billy Lee Lucas of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Ruidoso, New Mexico passed away at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa on Friday, July 16, 2010 at the age of 69 following a difficult surgery. Bill was the first of four sons of Bill and Juanita Lucas, born in Stillwater, Oklahoma on December 14, 1940. Bill grew up in Tulsa, graduating from Will Rogers High School and the University of Tulsa where he earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Business Administration. He served in the United States Navy and achieved the rank of Lieutenant J.G., and was posted in Guam, during the Vietnam War. Bill's first job after the Navy was in Saint Louis, Missouri joining the May Department Stores in 1968 where he quickly rose in rank and responsibility to senior human resource management positions over the next 16 1/2 years. During that time he spent 2 years in London, England as part of the management team establishing May Merchandising offices in Europe and Asia. In 1975 he was transferred to May Co. Los Angeles, the largest division within May Department Stores as the Vice President of Organizational Development, then promoted two years later to Senior Vice President, Director of Personnel. In 1980, Bill was promoted again to the Senior Vice President of Personnel and Organizational Development of May Department Stores at their headquarters in St. Louis, Mo reporting to the Chairman/CEO, a $4 billion dollar retail company with 35,000 employees. In 1984, Bill left May Department Stores to join Saks Fifth Avenue as SVP Human Resources at their corporate headquarters in New York City. Bill married his wife Ellen in 1985 in New York, where she joined him working as a Senior Vice President of Personnel for a competing company.
Bill was recruited to his final retail senior Human Resource position with Associated Merchandising Corporation serving from 1991-1995, responsible for international Human Resources in 24 countries in Europe and Asia before they retired to their 50 acre vacation home in the pine tree covered mountains of Ruidoso, New Mexico. Bill had a passion for Southwestern art and he and Ellen collected a number of sculptures of Native Americans created by the bronze sculptor Dave McGary. Bill came out of retirement and managed the foundry and finishing studio for the artist while Ellen joined him as the Gallery Director and Marketing Manager of McGary's "Expressions in Bronze" studio in Ruidoso. Ellen was very active in animal welfare activities in Lincoln County and the State which Bill supported wholeheartedly. She founded P.A.W. Partnership for Animal Welfare that provides low cost spay/neuter surgeries for the pets of residents Lincoln County and Mescalero. She served on the Board of The Lincoln County Medical Center and was appointed by the Governor to the Animal Sheltering Services Board for the State of New Mexico.
Over his years in New Mexico, Bill had many difficult surgeries for aneurism repairs. Although they loved New Mexico and still have their home in Alto, Bill realized he needed a lower elevation for his health. In 2007, Bill and Ellen bought a second home in Tulsa. Living in Tulsa again brought him close to one of his passions, The University of Tulsa. Bill was an All State Basketball player at Will Rogers High School, winning the state championship in 1958 his senior year. He was recruited by several colleges, but chose to stay in Tulsa and play basketball for the Golden Hurricanes. He lettered all three varsity years and played against such greats as Oscar Robertson, Chet Walker, and Dave Stallworth. Bill joined the Kappa Sigma Fraternity where he was elected as President of the fraternity and where he made many close friends with whom he was reunited the past few years. Bill contributed to the University through most of his working years and was very active in the Alumni Association and The Golden Hurricane Club. He loved the University, followed their teams when he didn't live in Tulsa making sure his Mom and Dad went to all the games. He and Ellen bought season tickets for the football and basketball seasons attending as many games as they could cheering on the Golden Hurricanes including the University of Tulsa Women's Rowing Team with boats honoring their names. They also became patrons of the renowned Gilcrease Museum now affiliated with The University of Tulsa, attending all of their wonderful art shows and exhibits while Ellen serves on the Art Show Board. The University and his friends from the University made his last years in Tulsa some of his most enjoyable.
Bill is survived by his wife, Ellen Lucas of Tulsa and Ruidoso, his three daughters, Tracy Richmond of Springdale, Arkansas, Amy Riley and her husband Shawn Riley of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Kelly Prichard and her husband Pat Prichard of Bluffton, Ohio, and ten grandchildren, three brothers and their wives, Sam and Jan Lucas of Columbus, Ohio, Ron and Karen Lucas of Houston, Texas, and Don and Maxanna Lucas of Cincinnati, Ohio. He also leaves behind 9 licking, loving canine furry friends, especially his devoted Goldie.
A "Celebration of Bill's Life" memorial service was held at the Sharp Memorial Chapel on the campus of the University of Tulsa on Wednesday, July 21, at 11:00am. Contributions in Bill's memory may be made to P.A.W. Partnership for Animal Welfare. Checks should be written to The Community Foundation of Lincoln County c/o P.A.W., PO Box 75, Alto, NM, 88312.