William Tucker, Jr.

William Tucker Jr., son of the late William Tucker Sr. and Emma Alston was born on October 6, 1920 in Littleton, North Carolina. He departed this life on May 21, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. after courageously battling an illness for the last 6 months. He was remarkably independent up until 100 years of age. William Jr. received his education in Littleton, NC, attending Roanoke Rapids High School in 1938. Shortly after high school, William Jr. was drafted in the Navy during World War II and served as a supply logistician and machine operator from September 1942 to December 1945. His entire tour of World War II duty was during the Pacific campaign (Battle of Solomon Islands), which entailed the most grueling and dangerous conditions involving jungle warfare tactics. Over 10,000 American casualties were suffered in one specific 6-month period, the highest casualty rate during that WWII campaign. William Jr. was a resilient, mentally tough, and resourceful sailor. Upon his honorable discharge from service, he settled in Baltimore and later entered the United States Merchant Marine, where he trained and worked as a deck engineer. During this time, he met and married the former Evelyn Oliver. From this union came his first child, Diana Tucker (Smith). After this union ended in the early 1950s, William Jr. worked several blue collar jobs in support of law enforcement and settled in east Baltimore. William Jr. met and married the former Thelma Boyd. From this union came two children, Sharon and William III. He also joined his home church, Fountain Baptist Church. During this period, William Jr. found his calling at sea and settled into his career as a longshoreman, where he worked and traveled the world as a merchant seaman (mechanic/deck engineer) for over 25 years. Given the 195 countries in the world, he visited over 100 countries during his career. He always enjoyed picking up unique gifts for family and friends from exotic places abroad. He retired from his longshoreman duties in 1985. During his years at sea, he also joined Prince Hall Masonic Lodge #44, in Baltimore where he was an active Mason for over 50 years. He was their oldest remaining member in 2022. William Jr. was also the second oldest veteran seen for medical care at the Veterans Affairs Loch Raven Geripact and hospice facility, where he spent his final 4 months of life. William Jr. was an avid hunter, gardener and extraordinary fisherman. He was very hard-working, humble, disciplined and loved dogs. Throughout his years, he chartered many fishing trips to eastern Maryland and Virginia for family, friends, and neighbors in the East Baltimore community. He also enjoyed playing pool and checkers, along with card games. William Jr. was well-known in his community and neighborhood, often drawing comparisons to “The Equalizer” movie character Robert McCall – who was a meticulous, highly skilled and mysterious retired assassin, mentally tough with a penchant for seeking justice (and portrayed by his favorite actor – Denzel Washington). Relatives often called him “Baltimore’s youngest teenager.” He was a respected community leader and father, and loved to watch sports (baseball) and talk politics. He was also very witty, and humorous, always offering his wisdom and sharing stories with analogies from his life experiences and journey. He leaves to mourn his three children, Diana Smith, Sharon Tucker, and William Tucker III; one daughter in law, Nicole Clemons-Tucker; three grandchildren, Ronald Smith, Brianna Tucker, and Kayla Tucker; two great grandchildren, Ronald Smith III, Nijya Smith; and one great great grandchild, Jayven Smith. Also, several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his brothers Ervin, Charlie, Johnny Jr., and sisters Julia, Annie, and Louise.

Tributes

William Tucker, Jr.

October 6, 1920 - May 21, 2022