ALAMO, Calif. — Memorial services are planned Jan. 5 here for William Hugh Dyer Jr., who served Lucky Stores for more than 50 years, including a stint as its chairman and chief executive officer. Dyer, 89, passed away Dec. 7 at his home here after a long illness. Dyer, who was awarded a Purple Heart for service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, began his retail career at Swenson’s Markets in Southern California at the age of 15. He went on to work for Dollar Market Stores, where he was mentored by Irv Levine. He proceeded up the ladder of command when Dollar was acquired first by Golden State Dairies, then in 1956 by Foremost Dairies, which had a 25% interest in Lucky Stores. Dyer was instrumental in building the Lucky empire through format expansion (Yellow Front Sirloin Stockade, Hancock Fabrics, Kragen Auto Supply, Gemco/Memco) and acquisition of chains including Cardinal Stores (Sacramento, Calif.), Big Bear (Seattle), Jim Dandy and Food Basket (Southern California), Kash n’ Karry (Florida) and Eagle Country Markets (Illinois). He was named a director and vice president for Lucky in 1957; president of Lucky in 1967; and chairman and CEO in 1971. He retired in 1974 but remained as a director until 1987.
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