Dr. William Ray Lucas, 102, died on Monday, February 10, 2025, at his home in Huntsville, Alabama. He was born on March 1, 1922, in Newbern, Dyer County, Tennessee, to William S. Lucas and Dona Ray Lucas. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 69 years, Polly Jean Torti Lucas; a son, William Ray Lucas Jr.; his sister, Sue Lucas Moore; sister-in-law, Alice Torti Neel, and brother-in-law, Maurice Leo Torti Jr.
Dr. Lucas is survived by his daughter Donna Lucas Watts and her husband Vernon, daughter-in-law Janet Smith Lucas Beck and her husband Cary, and son Michael Lee Lucas and his wife Sue Ellen. He is also survived by six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; Emily Watts Blenner (Tim) and their children Michael, Sarah, William, and Eloise Blenner; John Watts (Mitra Haeri) and their children Parisa and Kayvon Watts; Kenan Lucas (Catherine) and their children Holmes, Mac, and Gwen Lucas; Marguerite Lucas Armitage (Thom) and their children Mimi and Luke Armitage; Alice Lucas Roberts (Fletcher); Michael Lucas Jr. (Whitney) and their children Finley and John Lucas. Dr. Lucas is also survived by a niece, Leah Neel Zartarian, her husband Gary, and their children and grandchildren; sister-in-law, Nancy Morse Torti; and devoted caregivers of many years, Loellis Miller, Lorine Merritt, Dorothy Lockett, and Marcia Miles.
Dr. Lucas grew up on a farm in Dyer County, Tennessee. He graduated from Newbern High School in 1939 as valedictorian and class president. He earned a B.S. in 1943 from Memphis State College (now University of Memphis), where he was student body president and voted “Most Valuable Man.” At Memphis State, he met Polly Jean Torti, and they were married on September 11, 1948, in Memphis.
Dr. Lucas enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943, graduated from the Navy Supply Corps School at Harvard University, and served as a Supply Corps Officer in the U.S., the Caribbean, and the Pacific theater during World War II. After discharge from active duty in 1946, he served in the Naval Reserves. He earned a Ph.D. (chemistry, metallurgy) from Vanderbilt University in 1952 and began his career at Redstone Arsenal in the Guided Missile Development Division under the direction of Dr. Wernher von Braun.
In 1960, Dr. Lucas became a charter member of the newly established Marshall Space Flight Center of NASA. His positions included Chief of the Materials Division, Director of the Propulsion and Vehicle Engineering Laboratory, Director of Development, and Deputy Center Director. He was Director of the Marshall Space Flight Center from 1974 until his retirement in 1986. His career extended from the early days of the U.S. rocket program through the foundation of the Space Station.
Dr. Lucas was elected to the National Academy of Engineering and the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame. In 2009, he received the Dr. Wernher von Braun Space Flight Trophy from the National Space Club for his distinguished career in rocketry and science. He was a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics, the American Society of Metals, and the American Astronomical Society; and a member of the American Chemical Society, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Sigma Xi, and Tau Beta Pi. He received many awards, including a NASA Exceptional Service Medal for his contributions to the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission and a NASA Distinguished Service Medal “for an exceptional career of dedicated public service.”
Dr. Lucas was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Huntsville for 70 years. He served as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, deacon, Chair of the Finance Committee, member of other committees, and Moderator of the Madison Baptist Association. He was a life member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, an active member of the Huntsville Rotary Club, and a member of the U.S. Space Camp Foundation Board.
Dr. Lucas lived a long and eventful life, deeply devoted to God, family, and country.
Visitation will be Saturday, March 1, at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Huntsville followed by the funeral service at 11:00 am. A private family graveside service will be held in Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church BEYOND Capital Campaign, 600 Governors Drive, Huntsville, AL 35801.
