Bill Lutze, 92, of Lucerne, Missouri, passed away at the Putnam County Memorial Hospital in Unionville, Missouri, on Monday, August 24, 2020.
William Marlin Lutze was born in Fort Scott, Kansas, on September 7, 1927, the son of William Levi and Laura Mae (Fields) Lutze, who preceded him in death. The family moved to Lucerne when Bill was very young, and he graduated from Lucerne High School in 1945. He soon joined the United States Navy. He was honorably discharged after serving one year and returned to Lucerne. Bill began working for Smith and Johnson Oil Company in the gas station, eventually leasing it from them. He continued this work for 20 years. Bill married Carol lee Millsap on October 25, 1953, and she preceded him in death on October 22, 2011. Bill started working for the US Postal Service as a rural mail carrier out of Lucerne in 1967. He transferred to the Princeton post office after a few years and continued there until he retired in 1994.
Bill and Carol were very active in the church and community, living their entire married life in Lucerne. Bill served on different community boards and worked countless hours with the Lucerne fair. He was active in the Lucerne American Legion and was an elder at the Lucerne Christian Church. Bill enjoyed attending the sporting events of his grandchildren. He enjoyed bowling in leagues in Unionville, Centerville, and Corydon. He also enjoyed golfing with family and friends. Bill was an avid fan of Missouri sports teams: the Cardinals, Royals, Chiefs, and Tigers.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Cynthia (Dr. James) Brummit of Unionville, Missouri, and three grandchildren: Josh (Jennifer) Brummit of Edina, Missouri; and Cari (Brad) Gorkowski and Ben Brummit, both of Unionville. His nine great grandchildren are Aden, Zyan, Nate, Theron, Boomer, Annabelle, Bennett, Savanna, and Vivian. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Lynn Shumway of Arizona, as well as many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, Bill was preceded in by death one brother, Stormy, and five sisters, Janie, Ruby, Doris, Emma Mae, and Martha.
Funeral services for Bill Lutze will be at the Lucerne Christian Church in Lucerne at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 29, with visitation from 9:30 until time of the service. Interment will be at the Lucerne Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Playle and Collins Funeral Home in Unionville, MO.
Memorials are suggested to the Lucerne Cemetery or the PC Café and Senior Center and may be entrusted with Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th, Unionville, Missouri, 63565.