Obituary for William L. "Bill" Buck Jr.
On Saturday, March 18, 2023, William L. “Bill” Buck, Jr., loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away at the age of 96.
Bill was born July 27, 1926, in Gotebo, Oklahoma, to W.L. Sr. and Margaret Buck. Part of the Greatest Generation, he proudly served in World War II and was always humbled when people thanked him for his service. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1951. He employed was by Lockheed in Smyrna, Georgia, Greenville, South Carolina, and Dunedin, Florida. He was certified and designated by the State of Florida as a Professional Engineer in 1958, and received his Masters Degree in Education from the University of Florida in 1964. He taught junior high school math for three years, taught at St. Johns River Junior College where he created the first environmental science technology program for junior colleges in the state of Florida, and then opened his own civil engineering firm. He married Elizabeth Tuten, the love of his life, November 16, 1952. They raised four daughters, Sharon, Gladys, Lucile, and Carolyn.
Bill was a passionate University of Oklahoma football fan and could be found in front of a TV on Saturdays watching the Sooners play. He was an avid bridge player. He was raised to a Master Mason in the Masonic Lodge in 1948, served as Worshipful Master of Palatka Lodge No. 34 F & A.M. in 1980, served as District Deputy Grand Master of the 11th Masonic District 1992-1993, served as the Most Excellent High Priest of the Royal Arch Mason of the Florida York Rite. He was a 75-year Mason. Bill was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Palatka and one of the three oldest living members. He had served as Deacon and Elder several times throughout the years.
Bill is survived by his wife Elizabeth, daughters, Sharon Buck, Gladys Wade, Lucile (John) Fullerton, and Carolyn (Michael) Hornung; grandchildren Jordan Easton, Spenser Hornung, Peyton Hornung, Christina (Tyler) White, Lauren (Alex) Barlow, and Madison (Kyle) Rodrigues; great-grandchildren Noah, Sophia, and Emma Easton; Marley, Jade, and Gordon Rodrigues; Jack and Elizabeth Barlow. Also, he is survived by his brother, Ralph Buck.
He’ll always be remembered for his Christian faith, his love for family and friends, and…his smile.
Funeral services will be on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 123 Second St. at 11 a.m. followed by graveside services with military and Masonic burial at Westview Cemetery. No public visitation is scheduled.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bill’s name to First Presbyterian Church.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.
Bill was born July 27, 1926, in Gotebo, Oklahoma, to W.L. Sr. and Margaret Buck. Part of the Greatest Generation, he proudly served in World War II and was always humbled when people thanked him for his service. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1951. He employed was by Lockheed in Smyrna, Georgia, Greenville, South Carolina, and Dunedin, Florida. He was certified and designated by the State of Florida as a Professional Engineer in 1958, and received his Masters Degree in Education from the University of Florida in 1964. He taught junior high school math for three years, taught at St. Johns River Junior College where he created the first environmental science technology program for junior colleges in the state of Florida, and then opened his own civil engineering firm. He married Elizabeth Tuten, the love of his life, November 16, 1952. They raised four daughters, Sharon, Gladys, Lucile, and Carolyn.
Bill was a passionate University of Oklahoma football fan and could be found in front of a TV on Saturdays watching the Sooners play. He was an avid bridge player. He was raised to a Master Mason in the Masonic Lodge in 1948, served as Worshipful Master of Palatka Lodge No. 34 F & A.M. in 1980, served as District Deputy Grand Master of the 11th Masonic District 1992-1993, served as the Most Excellent High Priest of the Royal Arch Mason of the Florida York Rite. He was a 75-year Mason. Bill was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Palatka and one of the three oldest living members. He had served as Deacon and Elder several times throughout the years.
Bill is survived by his wife Elizabeth, daughters, Sharon Buck, Gladys Wade, Lucile (John) Fullerton, and Carolyn (Michael) Hornung; grandchildren Jordan Easton, Spenser Hornung, Peyton Hornung, Christina (Tyler) White, Lauren (Alex) Barlow, and Madison (Kyle) Rodrigues; great-grandchildren Noah, Sophia, and Emma Easton; Marley, Jade, and Gordon Rodrigues; Jack and Elizabeth Barlow. Also, he is survived by his brother, Ralph Buck.
He’ll always be remembered for his Christian faith, his love for family and friends, and…his smile.
Funeral services will be on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 123 Second St. at 11 a.m. followed by graveside services with military and Masonic burial at Westview Cemetery. No public visitation is scheduled.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bill’s name to First Presbyterian Church.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.