William Ray Lucas

Background

Lucas, William Ray was born on March 1, 1922 in Newbern, Tennessee, United States.

Education

Bachelor of Science, Memphis State University, 1943. Master of Science, Vanderbilt University, 1950. Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Metallurgy, Vanderbilt University, 1952.

Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Mobile College, 1977. Honorary Doctor of Science, Southeastern Institute of Technology, 1980. Honorary Doctor of Science, University Alabama, Huntsville, 1981.

Career

Instructor chemistry, Memphis State University, 1946-1948; chemist guided missile development division, Redstone Arsenal, 1952-1954; chief chemical section, Redstone Arsenal, 1954-1955; chief engineer material section, Army Ballistic Missile Agency, 1955-1956; chief engineer material branch, Army Ballistic Missile Agency, 1956-1960; with, Marshall Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, since 1960; chief engineering materials branch, Marshall Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1960-1963; material division, Marshall Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1963-1966; director propulsion and vehicle engineering laboratory, Marshall Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1966-1968; director program development, Marshall Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1968-1971; deputy director, Marshall Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1971-1974; director, Marshall Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1974-1986; private practice aerospace consultant, Hunstville, Alabama, since 1986.

Achievements

• William Ray Lucas has been listed as a noteworthy Aerospace consultant by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Served as Lieutenant United States Naval Reserve, 1943-1946. Fellow American Society Metals, American Astronautical Society (Space Flight award 1982), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Oberth award 1965, Holger N. Toftoy award 1976, Elmer A. Sperry group award 1986). Member National Academy Engineering, American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi, Tau Beta Pi.

Connections

Married 1948; 3 children.

Spouse:

1948