William Thornton Tucker, Jr. passed from this life on January 25, 2025. He was 85.

"Billy" Tucker was born in 1939. He lost his father, William Thornton Tucker, Sr., when he was nine years old. He was raised with his sister Mary Tucker Kennedy by their mother, Norris Stephens "Stebo" Elliot Tucker, and graduated from Elysian Fields High School in 1957. He worked for Thiokol and Baroid and traveled to Alaska and Tunisia before meeting and marrying Sandra Dinkle in the late 60's. Bill and Sandra had two children, Mollie and Millie. Bill later married Christine Davis Browning. He was the president of the bank in Elysian Field for several years and later worked as a realtor. He loved hunting and fishing, his community and his large extended family and friends, but most of all his children and grandchildren of whom he was so proud of and always supportive.

He was a son of East Texas, returning again and again to his roots and living his life to the fullest in the community he loved.

He is survived by his children; daughter, Millie Tucker Ellis, with her husband, Brad Ellis and granddaughter, Mary Annabelle Ellis Caudle and husband, Carson Caudle, and granddaughter, Tucker Rose Ellis; daughter, Mollie Melinda Tucker Hodgson and granddaughter, Ravienne Avery Hodgson; sister, Mary Tucker Kennedy with her husband, Robert "Bob" Kennedy and their respective children and families; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Bill was beloved by his family, extended family and community. He leaves a strong family legacy of ingenuity, leadership, resilience and capability and he will be missed.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 1, 2025, in the Chapel of Downs Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Elysian Fields Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 31, 2025, at the funeral home.