Blue Bird's Joseph Luce Dies

FORT VALLEY, Ga. (Dec. 22, 2006) -- Blue Bird Corporation is saddened to convey the passing of Joseph Luce, the youngest son of Blue Bird founder Albert Luce, on December 17, 2006. He was 80 years old.

Born on July 3, 1926 in Fort Valley, Georgia (where he resided his entire life), Joseph served his nation in the Navy from 1943 to 1946. In 1950, he married Marilyn Stull and began working at Blue Bird Body Company in Fort Valley . With his father and two brothers, he helped the company grow from a modest local manufacturer into the number one school bus company in the world.

In addition to his many business accomplishments, Joseph supported hundreds of missionaries around the world and through his kindness helped to better the lives of countless people. He is survived by his wife Marilyn, their four children and twelve grandchildren, his brother Albert Luce, Jr. and Albert's wife, Betty. Funeral services were held in Fort Valley on December 20.