William "Bill" Lucas, whose career in public service has spanned 35 years, was born in Harlem, in 1928. When he was orphaned in his early teens (his West Indian immigrant parents died within a year of each other), he went to live with and was raised by an aunt. He attended Morris High School in the Bronx, and starred on the school track team. Because of his track skill he was offered a number of collegiate athletic scholarships, and accepted one from Manhattan College. He was the first in his family to go to college, and graduated with honors in 1952 with a Bachelor of science degree.