William Joseph “Bill” Lucy, 79, of East Dubuque, IL, passed away on Saturday, August 11, 2018 at home of an apparent heart attack.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at the Miller Funeral Home in East Dubuque, with Pastor Pamela Starr officiating. Burial will be in the East Dubuque Cemetery, with military honors accorded by members of American Legion Post # 787 of East Dubuque.
Visitation will be from 4 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 and after 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Members of the East Dubuque Volunteer Fire Dept. will meet at 6:00 p.m. and members of American Legion Post # 787 will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Bill was born on February 6, 1939, the first born child of William N. and Loretta A. (McHale) Lucy in Leadville, CO. He was a graduate of the East Dubuque High School, class of 1959. Bill served proudly and honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1959 – 1961, on the USS Lowry as a Gunner in the Mediterranean and was presented with the Quilt of Valor on June 10, 2018.

He previously was employed at Fred Jackson Tuckpointing Company and later was self-employed in East Dubuque, until his retirement in 2001.

He was a retired member of the East Dubuque Volunteer Fire Dept., a member of the East Dubuque Lions Club, the East Dubuque American Legion Post #787, a member of the E.D.G.E. Foundation, and the East Dubuque Drum and Bugle Corps Color Guard.

Bill was a sweet and gentle person who enjoyed visiting with people in downtown East Dubuque. He loved playing football in high school, was a former Coach for the Wesley UMC basketball team, an avid Chicago Cubs fan, enjoyed playing cribbage and euchre, collecting post cards, doing “Seek and Find”, and was a puzzle enthusiast. On March 5, 2001 Bill received the “Citizen of the Year” award.

Surviving are two sisters, Loretta Lucy of East Dubuque and Irene (Don) Kaukaskie and a brother, Nick (Linda) Lucy both of Dubuque; 11 nieces and nephews, Laura Lucy-Ilan, Eric Lucy, Christine Lucy, Keith Lucy, Melissa Gardener, Michele Dague, Vicki Reynolds, Rhonda Khan, Michael Kaukaskie, Cheryl Symons, Dale Kaukaskie; and numerous great nieces, great nephews; and family friends, Karen & Bob Juergens.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister and brother-in-law, Sandy (Fred) Vaughn.

In lieu of flowers, a Bill Lucy Memorial Fund has been established.

The family thanks everyone who made Bill’s life so enjoyable.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com.