In Memoriam: William "Bill" Lucy

The staff of the Reuther Library is saddened by the passing of long-time AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer and Coalition of Black Trade Unionists co-founder, William “Bill” Lucy. He passed away September 24, 2024 at the age of 90.

Lucy grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and Richmond, California. He worked for Contra Costa County, CA, where he joined with his coworkers to form an AFSCME local in 1956. He later became the local’s president. AFSCME International president Jerry Wurf recognized Lucy as a rising star and invited him to work at AFSCME headquarters in 1966. In 1972, Lucy became AFSCME’s Secretary-Treasurer, the International’s second in command spot. He held that office for 38 years before retiring.

Throughout his life, Lucy played vital roles in a number of important historical events, among them the 1968 Memphis sanitation strike and the Anti-Apartheid Movement in South Africa.

Lucy’s relationship with the Reuther Library began 50 years ago when AFSCME designated the growing archive as its official depository in 1974. The collection started with just 350 boxes and has grown to over 5,000 linear feet and over 1 terabyte of digital files. AFSCME delegates passed a resolution in 1978 affirming the relationship and supported its expansion to include the papers and records of individuals and affiliates to help tell the story of the American labor movement and public employment unions. Lucy’s records from his time as Secretary-Treasurer are part of the collection.

Part of the arrangement between Reuther and AFSCME has included recording of oral histories with important figures. Bill Lucy himself became part of that project when he sat down with founding director Phil Mason in two sessions to record more than nine hours of tape. The interview goes into detail on Lucy’s early life and career, his years working with AFSCME President Jerry Wurf, and the founding of CBTU, among other topics.

CBTU also designated the Reuther Library as home to its official archives in 2001.

In 2003, the Reuther Library marked the 35th anniversary of the Memphis sanitation strike with an exhibit and symposium. Lucy joined a panel of strike veterans, including the late Rev. James Lawson, Jesse Epps, and Taylor Rogers to discuss their memories of the historic events of 1968. The physical exhibit was later re-imagined into a digital version and includes a recording of the symposium.

In their interactions with Lucy, Reuther staff members found him to be warm and gracious, often deferring credit or praise for his many accomplishments. We will truly miss him.