William Lee Tucker Sr.

William Lee (Bill) Tucker, 84, of Flowery Branch, died May 10, 2013.  He was born on July 24, 1928, in Mena, Arkansas, and grew up on a farm in Miami, Oklahoma. He served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army in World War II and the Korean War.  He married Mary Ellen Cunningham on June 6, 1953. They had a wonderful marriage that lasted 57 years until her death in 2010. They moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1964. Bill was an engineer in the aircraft industry and worked for Lockheed for 29 years, specializing in cargo planes.  Bill was an avid golfer who participated on amateur teams at Lockheed, and as a member of the Golden Duffers after his retirement.  He was very involved in his children’s school activities, including Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, swim team, and soccer.  He loved gardening and was known for his impressive rose garden.  An active member of Our Lady of the Assumption Church from 1964 to 2005, he also served there as an usher.  Bill was a beloved great-grandfather, grandfather, father, uncle, and friend.  He loved people and animals, getting to know all of the dogs in the neighborhood as well as their owners.  He was very proud of his family and was especially pleased to see the births of three great-grandchildren.  To know Bill was to love him. He had an unfailing love of life and a deep, abiding faith.  He will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know him.  He is survived by daughters Kitt Tucker Hoffman, Susie Tucker; son William Lee Tucker, Jr. (Helen); brother James Tucker (Frances); sisters LuAnne Cochran, Pat Wagner; grandchildren Terri Duffield (Casey), Thomas J. Hoffman, Catherine Ann Tucker; great-grandchildren Emily Marie Duffield, Griffin Xavier Duffield, Felix Tucker Duffield; and a number of nieces and nephews.  Visitation will be Thursday, May 16, 2013 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, with a Rosary at 7:00 PM, at H.M. Patterson and Son Funeral Home Oglethorpe Hill. The funeral mass will be Friday, May 17, 2013, at 10:30 AM, at Our Lady of the Assumption Church.  In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society are requested.