Profiles of Life: William 'Bill' Lucas and Leona Mae King Lucas

A concrete patio and engraved mirrors serve as reminders of Bill and Leona Lucas to their families.

William C. Lucas III and wife Leona Mae King Lucas were known as industrious people. Bill, 38, a construction worker, used his training to pour a patio for his mother. Leona, 41, liked to make decorated mirrors and cross-stitched fabrics to give to loved ones.

They took in their nieces and nephews. Leona had 10 siblings in her family.

"They raised a great deal of her sisters' and brothers' children," said Bill's mother, Joyce Stravlo. "Leona always made room for them. Wherever they went, they spread light to a room, if they had a bad hair day or whatever."

Ray Thompson, their landlord, said that Bill enjoyed fishing in the pond next to their trailer. Bill poured concrete for Randy's Construction out of Blanchard for about three years. Bill was born in Olathe, Kan., and Leona was born in Andrews, Texas.

Bill liked to joke. Leona put tigers and panda bears on her mirrors. She gave a stitching to Stravlo that said, "God never closes a door unless he opens a window."

"They always called her 'Laughing Leona,'" said Linda McCracken, Leona's sister. "She made the person having the worst tragedy laugh. She had a way about her that could take the pain away from anybody. We loved them very much, and we'll miss them, all of us."

- Richard Tortorelli