William Leroy Luckie

William Leroy Luckie, 83, of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away on Saturday, September 19, 2026.

Born on January 9, 1943, in Macon, Georgia, William was the son of the late Lois Virginia (Sorrels) Luckie and the late William Mac Luckie.

A proud graduate of Auburn University, William earned his degree in mechanical engineering through the cooperative education program, alternating quarters between the classroom and work. He began his career with the Department of the Navy in 1962 as a co-op student at the U.S. Naval Ordnance Plant in Macon.

After graduating in 1966, William joined the Charleston Naval Shipyard as an engineer in the Nuclear Test Engineering Division. During the Cold War, the shipyard overhauled the Navy's nuclear-powered submarines, and he quickly distinguished himself. In 1972 he was named Head of the Nuclear Test Engineering Division, a role he held for more than two decades, overseeing the testing that helped ensure the submarines' nuclear systems were safe and ready before they returned to the fleet. After a distinguished 31-year career with the Navy, including his co-op years, he retired in 1993. He then began a second career in senior management consulting with Coopers & Lybrand, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and IBM, retiring again in 2008.

For more than 20 years, William coached boys' football, soccer, and baseball at St. Andrews Playground, where he loved helping kids reach their full potential. Baseball was his favorite because of the strategy of the game. He cherished sailing the Gulf Coast with his wife, Linda, aboard their boat, La Mariposa. He was also a devoted Auburn football fan and enjoyed bird watching.

William is survived by his wife of 46 years, Erlinda Flores Luckie; his sons: Mark Luckie (Jessica), Joel Luckie (Sandy), Keith Luckie (Jenni), Tommy Rodriguez (deceased), and Sam Luckie (Becky); and his daughter, Melissa Luckie Falta (Derek). He is cherished by his 14 grandchildren: Marissa, Isabelle, Hannah, Garris, Fuller, Madison, Payton, Ethan, Carson, Ava Grace, Ryder, Foster, Hudson, and Isla, and by many friends who loved him dearly.

The family will receive friends on Monday, September 28, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, West Ashley.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 5 St. Teresa Drive, Charleston, SC 29407.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston (rmhcharleston.org) or to the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Building Fund, 5 St. Teresa Drive, Charleston, SC 29407.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371