By Ed German (Admin) on Sunday, March 12, 2023 - 05:54 pm:  Edit

William “Bill” G. Lacey



November 18, 1936 - January 21, 2023

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of William G. "Bill" Lacey, 86, of Radcliff, on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at the University of Louisville Jewish Hospital.

Bill passed away surrounded by love and embraced by his family. Bill was a dedicated husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, mentor, confidant and soldier who was born Nov. 18, 1936, in Lynn, Massachusetts, to Alphonsus William Lacey and Estella Maud Hart Lacey.

Bill joined the United States Army in 1955 at the age of 19. Bill served in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Bill served on U.S. Military Advisory Groups from 1958 to 1960 in Laos, from 1962 to 1964 in Thailand and from 1965 to 1967 in Vietnam. Bill was a member of Operation White Star, also known as Project White Star. Bill continued his military service with the Criminal Investigation Division in Bamberg, Germany from 1968 to 1970. From 1971 to 1973, Bill served with the Criminal Investigation Division in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Bill returned to Laos and Thailand from 1973 to 1974 with the U.S. Military Advisory Group. Bill was an elite member of the United States Army Special Forces, serving two tours in Vietnam.

After bravely serving his country for 22 years, Bill was honorably discharged from the United States Army having achieved the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2 and began his career in civilian law enforcement with the Radcliff Police Department. There, he obtained the rank of lieutenant. During his career with the Radcliff Police Department, Bill was a patrolman, chief detective and SWAT team commander. After 13 years at the Radcliff Police Department, Bill returned to Fort Knox to work with the provost marshal's office. Bill then became the 911 director at the Hardin County Sheriff's Department and established the advanced 911 systems for Hardin and Meade counties.

Bill was a true warrior and earned countless decorations, medals, badges and commendations. Medals and recognition meant little to Bill. He did the job that needed to be done and proudly served because that was what he wanted to do. Bill loved serving his country. Bill finally retired and put up his feet to enjoy much needed R&R.

Bill enjoyed traveling with his loving wife, Evelyn, of 46 years. Bill and Evelyn enjoyed traveling the world together. Bill loved to visit Thailand with his wife and family and he will be greatly missed by all of his friends in Thailand.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Alphonsus and Estella. Bill is also preceded in death by his four-legged friends, Hank and Brody.

Bill os survived by his wife, Evelyn; and his brother, Donald and his wife, Crystal. Bill is survived by his five daughters, Pauline (Doug) Robinson, Michelle (Eric) Johns, Jenette (Matt) Lacey, Dianna (Michael) Childs and Melissa (Keith) Lacey; his nine grandchildren, Vikki Paras, Lisa Paras, David Knotts, Jessica Thomas, Derek Knotts, Justin Robinson, Dylan Johns, Christian Speir and Evan Speir; and his six great-grandchildren: Lilly, Marcus, Lexi, Luke, Liam and Leonidus.

Near the end, Bill told his family, "No one makes it out of here alive."

He lived a remarkable and heroic life and will be missed by all. Bill was a dear friend and respected by many. Through his courage, sacrifice and service, he truly made this world a better place.

A celebration of life service is at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, in the chapel of Chism Family Funeral Home in Vine Grove.

Friends will be received at Chism Family Funeral Home at 769 Highland Ave., Vine Grove, from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 4.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation at T2T.org.

Condolences may be expressed online at chismfamilyfunerals.com.

Published by The News-Enterprise from Jan. 27 to Feb. 4, 2023.

The above information includes details online here at the time of this posting.