William Robert Lucero

William Robert Lucero, 96, of Palmdale passed away peacefully in his home on March 22, 2019. He was born on November 4, 1922, in Domingo, New Mexico, to Manuel C. and Juana (Luna) Lucero. He was raised by his grandmother, Rosarita, in New Mexico until he moved to Trinidad, Colorado in junior high. As a youth, he played baseball, football, basketball, and competed in sprint races on the track team, where he broke many of the school's records, and played the saxophone.

William joined the Marine Corps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He took part in the Battle of Midway, was in Guadalcanal, Peleliu, and the Solomon Islands. He also served in the Korean conflict. For his service he received the Good Conduct Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, 8-Air Medals, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medals, WWII Victory Medal, Korean Service Medals, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, and the UN Medal. William spent his career in the aerospace industry, working as an electrical engineer for Boeing, McDonald Douglas, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin. He was very proud of the work he was able to do on the B2 Spirit. He spent time in Kansas where he worked on Air Force One.

He married Olga Vigil on July 29, 1946. From this marriage, two sons were born: William (Bill) Robert Lucero, and Patrick Arnold Lucero. He and Olga divorced in 1957. He married Alejandra Llanos on November 29, 1957. From this union, five children were born: Mary, Rossana, Donna, Jackie, and Patrick. They moved to the Antelope Valley in 1971. William and Alejandra would remain married for nearly 62 years on this earth.

William was a loving father and a devoted grandfather and great-grandfather. He found great joy in his family. He was preceded in death by two of his children, Patrick Arnold, who was killed in Vietnam, and Mary. He is survived by his wife, Alejandra, and his children, Bill (Janie) Lucero, Rossana (Guy) Logsdon, Donna (Gerald) Klein, Jackie (Doug) Dothage, and Patrick (Deanne) Lucero. He has 13 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters and a brother, Inez, Bridgett, and Manuel.

Final arrangements are being handled by Joshua Mortuary in Palmdale. Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Palmdale at 39546 23rd St. West on March 30, 2019 at 11:00 am. He will be laid to rest at Desert Lawn Memorial Park in Palmdale. The family would like to offer special thanks to the caregivers who have assisted his wife, Alejandra with his care for the past several years.