SEATTLE — William G. Lucks, chairman of The Lucks Co., died July 9. Born in Seattle on Oct. 31, 1930, to Violet and Carl Lucks, Bill was a lifelong Seattleite.

He attended the University of Washington where his studies included business administration and accounting, and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1952 with a second lieutenant’s commission in the U.S. Air Force, and was elected Phi Beta Kappa. He remained an avid fan of Husky athletics for his entire life and rarely missed a home football game.

Mr. Lucks served as a first lieutenant in the Air Force from 1952-54 but left in 1954 to join The Oscar Lucks Co., the family business founded by his grandfather. The business at the time distributed a limited line of supplies to bakeries in Washington State. Following 20 weeks of study at the American Institute of Baking, then in Chicago, he returned to Seattle to assume a more significant role with the family business. He led The Lucks Co. as chief executive officer and chairman from 1958 to the present, and during that time expanded it into the manufacturing of many diverse product lines including dry mixes, equipment and edible food decorations. The Lucks Co. has been recognized as one of Washington State’s top 150 private businesses. Mr. Lucks believed in treating his customers well, while maintaining high ethical standards and creating a legacy of loyal employees whom he preferred to refer to as Team Members.

In 1993 Lucks Food Decorating Co. introduced Edible Image Decorations, which revolutionized the way the industry decorated cakes. Today, Lucks Food Decorating Co. manufactures Dec-Ons Molded Sugar Decorations, Royal Icing Roses, Edible Image Decorations, Print-Ons Sheets and Lucks Liquid Colors.  Lucks Food Decorating Co. products are manufactured in the United States and sold worldwide.   

Mr. Lucks’ list of civic service includes serving as president of the UW Alumni Association, president of the National Bakery Suppliers Association, Seattle Rotary Service Foundation, Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and past chairman of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization.

In addition to his wife Nancy, her four grown children and nine grandchildren, Mr. Lucks is survived by his grandson Evan Robbins, and his two sons, Carl and Kurt, both of whom are active in the family business, and Carl’s wife Jenny Peters.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held July 18 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 609 Eighth Ave, Seattle, Washington 98104.

Remembrances may be made to: William G. Lucks Memorial Fund, The Seattle Foundation, IBM Building, 1200 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1300, Seattle, WA 98101-3151.