William McGee Tucker

Dr. William “Bill” McGee Tucker, longtime resident of Carrboro, North Carolina, and steadfast servant of the Bahá’í Faith, passed away on August 3, 2025, at age 100. A tireless advocate for racial unity and justice, his life was marked by compassion and an unshakeable belief in the oneness of humanity. He was known for his deep spirituality, boundless kindness, and a heart that connected with everyone he met.

Born in Greenville, North Carolina, Bill embraced the Bahá’í Faith in 1946 while attending East Carolina Teacher’s College. His spiritual convictions guided every aspect of his life, including his choice of career and where he lived and served. He earned a degree in optometry from the Northern Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, where he met and married his lifelong partner, Bernice “Bunny” Buettner, in 1950. Together, they dedicated their lives to building community, serving others, and promoting the Bahá’í principles of the oneness of humanity and justice for all.

The Tuckers moved to Rocky Mount, North Carolina in 1950, where Dr. Tucker opened a racially integrated optometry practice—an uncommon act at the time. In 1955, Bill and Bunny answered the Bahá’í call to pioneer and moved to Argentina, where they welcomed their first daughter, Leanne.

Upon returning to the United States, they settled in Asheville, North Carolina, where they became pillars of the newly forming Bahá’í community and expanded their family with the birth of their daughter, Joy. Their efforts to host integrated gatherings at their home were met with both praise and hostility, including threats to their safety and livelihood. Undeterred, they persevered and fostered enduring friendships across racial and cultural lines.

In 1965, Bill was appointed as an Auxiliary Board Member, a role he held for over two decades, serving Bahá’í communities across the southeastern United States, the Bahamas, and Jamaica. In the 1970s, the Tuckers again pioneered, this time to Jamaica, where they continued their community-building efforts. After several years, they returned to Asheville before eventually settling in Carrboro where Bill and Bunny were active members of the Bahá’í community, serving on the Local Spiritual Assembly for many years.

Bill provided in-home care and support to his beloved wife Bunny during her long illness prior to her passing in 2013. She called him her “sweet boy” throughout their lives together. After Bunny’s passing, Bill’s daughter Joy moved to Carrboro to provide company and care for him. Bill finally retired from optometry at 87, having spent the last 20 years at Specs Eye Care providing caring service to his patients. In his retirement, he enjoyed the many trips around the country and abroad planned by Leanne, and had a special connection with his son-in-law, Namvar, and his grandchildren and their wives.

Bill radiated warmth and joy. He never met a stranger, striking up conversations wherever he went and turning acquaintances into friends. He loved the ocean, poetry, reading, music, and above all, people. “Summertime” was his favorite song, and he had a deep affection for swing, big band, and jazz music. He and Bunny especially loved to dance—graceful partners in rhythm and in life.

The family is grateful to Charles House Association for providing Bill a way to continue to be engaged with people and activities through their day program and the loving, caring staff at Winmore House who helped him maintain his dignity and independence during the past two and a half years.

Bill is survived by his daughters, Joy Tucker and Leanne Tucker (husband Namvar Zohoori), and grandchildren: Andishé, Cameron (wife Camila), and Colin (wife Allison). He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bernice “Bunny” Buettner Tucker; his sister, Eloise Tucker Flanders; and his parents, Durwood and Clarice (McGee) Tucker.

The family will hold a private burial and funeral. There will be a public memorial service celebrating his life on Thursday, August 7, 2:30 pm, at the Durham Bahá’í Center, 5103 Revere Rd, Durham, NC 27713. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bahá’í Fund (Bahá’ís only), or to the Seva Foundation, a non-profit organization that works with local communities around the world to develop self-sustaining programs that preserve and restore sight.