William Henry Tuke II

SERVICES: 2:00 PM Thursday, October 30, 2008, at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, with Rev. Linda Kelly, pastor, and Ernie Wilkinson and Suzie Wilkinson, deacons, officiating.BURIAL: Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Tuke was born September 18, 1914 in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. As an alumnus of Kansas State University, Bill chose to pursue a career as a chemist in which he proceeded to achieve outstanding accomplishments throughout his professional life. It was also in Kansas City that he met the first love of his life, Lorraine Holloway, while she was attending Kansas Teachers College. They were married in 1940 and had two children, Linda Alice and Richard Haydon. During the earliest stages of his career, he worked for the Atlas Power Company in Missouri where he was exempted from joining the military during World War II in favor of continuing in his position at the plant where the war effort was being supported through the manufacturing of TNT. Shortly thereafter, Bill and his family moved to Kingsville, Texas where he became a chemist for Celanese. In 1952, he was transferred to New York City where he went to work as a quality control officer at the company's corporate headquarters. The family's first residence was the Waldorf Astoria upon arrival (first time for TV) but over the course of the next 12 years, the family resided in Queens, Hicksville and Roslyn, New York. In 1964, Bill was transferred back to Texas, this time to assist in starting up the Celanese plant in Pampa.His tenure at Celanese saw him achieve the position of Chief Chemist in 1965. He was a member of the American Petroleum Society and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). He was highly respected among his peers and coworkers, having earned a reputation as a leader and role model, not only in his professional career, but through his dedication and involvement in the local community.A lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, he and his family were parishioners of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church where Bill served as senior warden. He was also one of the founders of the Good Samaritan Christian Services which provides goods and services for local families in need.Bill had been a member of the local Moose Lodge, Rotary Club and the Pampa Country Club for over 25 years where he had many friends and had enjoyed a full social life, celebrating his many blessings and the love and respect of his family throughout his long life.After losing his first wife to cancer in 1978, Bill retired from Celanese after 35 years with the company. Shortly thereafter, Bill found the second love of his life and married Virgie Matejowsky in 1983. She preceded him in death in 1990. More recently, Bill had resided at the Meredith House where he was also well-liked and respected among the residents.SURVIVORS: 2 children: Linda Frost and husband Bill of Pampa, and Haydon Tuke and wife Ann Louise of Ponce Inlet, Florida; four grandchildren: Richard Kupcunas of Double Oak, Christopher Kupcunas of Grapevine, Janene Lucas of Pampa, and Natalie Tuke of Santa Barbara, California; five great-grandchildren: Erin Kupcunas, Rae Kupcunas, and Alexandra Kupcunas, all of Dallas, Kaleigh Lucas and Harley Organ, both of Pampa. MEMORIALS: St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 727 W. Browning, Pampa, Texas 79065.