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William Lutes Obituary
August 19, 1937 - January 23, 2026
With love and gratitude for a life well lived, we announce the passing of Bill Lutes. He was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona, the middle child to RH and Georgia Lutes.
A YHS graduate, Bill enrolled at the University of Arizona in Tucson, but left to experience snow skiing in Flagstaff, and Northern Arizona University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree.
Bill planned to move to Los Angeles, but that changed after the sudden death of his father in 1962. He chose to stay in Yuma and support his brother and mother in reviving family businesses: The Gretna Green Wedding Chapel and Lutes Casino Pool Hall.
Bill was a man of great style and loved seeing the world. From Carnival in New Orleans, to New York City's Madison Square Garden to hear Marilyn Monroe sing Happy Birthday Mr. President for JFK, he always traveled with class. He flew on the Concord, sailed the Queen Elizabeth II Liner to Europe, and took the Orient Express to Venice. Additionally, Bill found great joy in playing the piano and entertaining others.
Bill had his pilots license and a wonderful mechanical mind. He could repair anything from his washing machine to his pin ball machines at Lutes Casino. At one point he even built a custom computer with running lights and sounds.
In the 1970's, Bill and partner Ken Motta created Restaurant 250 Madison by taking The Century House carriage house and transforming it into formal dining. Today that restaurant is still going strong as The Garden Cafe.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, RH and Georgia Rogers Lutes and sister, Nancy Lutes Weber. His partner of many years, Ken Motta, died in 2011.
Bill is survived by his brother, Bob Lutes, and nephews, Mike Lutes (Brenda), Bobby Lutes, and Matthew Lutes Weber, as well as nieces, Kelly Lutes Barone and Megan Weber Braun.
Many thanks to good friend Adam Gage and caregivers Carrie Zavala, Celia Samaniego, and Frank Guana.
In accordance with his wishes, a Celebration of Bill's Life will be held sometime in Yuma this upcoming Spring. Donations can be made to Yuma Center for Spiritual Living and Hospice of Yuma.
Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/yumasun
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Lutes
5 Entries
John stewart
March 24, 2026
Bill had a talent for piano. Met him at Metodist church in 1963. Nany was with I'm. Saw him in Prescott many times in the summer. Loved the times at lunch he played the piano. He was a kind person. RIP Yuma Crim
Daphne Cooper
February 8, 2026
Bill was a gift to all who were lucky enough to know him and share in his life. He will be missed and always loved.
Ginger Lauss
February 4, 2026
Billy was one of my best friends. To me he was my Uncle Billy. We had a fun, comfortable friendship that I will treasure forever. We had many great adventures together in the short time we had. I will miss you Uncle Billy. Until we meet again. God Speed!
Elizabeth Rojo Arellano
February 3, 2026
Bill was a very great friend with my family a d I. We loved going to eat there at Lutes, and play games. Bill was such great company. He will be missed RIP Mr. Lutes such a terrific man
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JIm and Brenda Catanzaro
February 3, 2026
Condolences to the Lutes Crew. We were friends with Billy, Ken who was our best man, at our Wedding.. of course Bobby, who was on that San Diego Tuna boat.. He will be missed, but, you will see them always in your dreams.. so they are really never never gone.
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