William J. Luecke, 87, Hays, died Friday, June 14, 2024 at HaysMed.
He was born December 21, 1936 in Okeene, Oklahoma, the son of Joseph and Eva (Semotan) Luecke. In 1955, William graduated from Hays High School and while in high school, he played the trombone and was active in 4-H and Boy Scouts. On April 23, 1957 he was united in marriage to Mary Lou Leiker in Munjor, and they celebrated 67 years of marriage. He served in the Army National Guard for eight years, attended Kansas State University, and graduated from diesel mechanic school in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. William farmed throughout most of his life, while also doing mechanical work and metal fabrication, manufacturing parts for combines, planters, and sprayers. After retiring from farming, he restored more than 50 antique tractors. William had a private pilot license and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol from 1975 until the late 1990s. As a man of faith, William was a minister of Church of God High Plains who devoutly read scripture.
Survivors include his wife Mary Lou of Hays, three sons, Paul Luecke and wife Ronda of Trussville, AL, Tom Luecke of Boulder, CO, and John Luecke and wife Nancy of Hays, one daughter, Annie Doll and husband Craig of Oklahoma City, OK, a sister, Alberta Luecke-Horn of Snohomish, WA, eight grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Francis Luecke.
Family graveside services will be at Fort Hays Memorial Gardens. Services are in the care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and condolences and memories of William may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com.