Washington State’s Black History: Dr. William Earnest Lacy, Jr.

All month, we’ll be partnering with The Black Heritage Society of Washington State to bring you artifacts, photos and stories from our community’s history.

William E. Lacy, Jr. was born in Birmingham, AL in 1919 and passed away in Seattle, WA in 2007. Lacy was a graduate of Talladega College, Alabama’s oldest private Black college where he studied Chemistry and Mathematics. During WWII he distinguished himself among troops of the all-Black 92nd Infantry Division. He returned home to marry wife, Helen and moved to Seattle after completing his medical training.

Dr. William Earnest Lacy, Jr. was a respected Black physician who practiced at Providence, Doctor’s, and Swedish Hospitals, volunteered at Carolyn Downs Medical Center and was on the clinical faculty at the University of Washington Medical School. He held memberships at county and state medical associations and the Washington State Assoc. of Black Health Care Professionals.

Lacy served the Black community well and was a Life Member of the NAACP and was an avid golfer with Fir State Golf Club for 40 years.