Ethel Maude McWilliams Halsey, age 75, passed away with her family near to her on August 22, 2021 at St. James Hospital in Butte, Montana of esophageal cancer.  Born in Brigham City, Utah on October 9, 1945, Ethel Maude was named after both of her grandmothers by her parents, Austin B. McWilliams and Marinell (Whitman) McWilliams. Most knew her by the nickname, "Lukie" as it better fit her youthful, friendly and vibrant personality. Like her dad, Lukie could strike up and carry on a good conversation with just about anybody.  Lukie had five brothers, Austin L., Ivan M., Jasper R., Korky and Frosty.  She grew up to be tough as any of them, and looked better than most of them in a dress. She was a fine lady who could also hunt and fish with the best of them, and taught her son and daughters, grandkids and great grandkids to do the same. Lukie was a wonderful cook and a gifted painter and craft artist having a very clever eye for detail and natural beauty. She loved music, supporting and encouraging her brothers to perform at their best.  She loved to dance, and as a teen won contests with her brother Ivan as a partner. A loving mother, always the nurturer, Lukie had a pot of coffee on, a warm word, or even a meal at any hour for those who needed it.  Loyal and even fierce if need be, she worked very hard to defend and support her family, but always took time for the important things in life.

Lukie was raised and schooled in the Big Piney, Wyoming area and then relocated to Ogden, Utah where she and Paul Tracy married and had son, Lucky L. Tracy and daughter Misti Dawn Tracy. After the marriage dissolved, Lukie married Gary L. Crossen and had three more daughters, Marinda M. (Shawn Anderson,) Barbara A. (Jeff Weiss,) and Mariah T. (Jason Ford.) After Gary moved on, Lukie married Don Halsey and eventually moved to Salmon, Idaho in the late 1990's. After parting ways with Don, Lukie married Richard (Dick) Halsey and lived in Tendoy, Idaho until later moving to Butte.  Lukie and Dick would have celebrated their 17 ^th wedding anniversary the day she passed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Misti, grandson Cody O'Neal, and brothers Austin, Ivan and Jasper.  Lukie looked forward to reuniting with them in heaven.

Funeral services will be held Saturday August 28th at 11 a.m. at The Sublette Pioneer Senior's Center at 429 E. First Street, Marbleton, Wyoming, with a visitation hour just prior at 10 a.m. . Interment will be immediately after the service at the Viola-LaBarge Cemetery which is approximately 13 miles up LaBarge Creek Road from LaBarge, Wyoming. Local arrangements are being handled by our friends at Covill Funeral Home in Pinedale, (307) 367-2321.