Ronald “Bucky” Lee McNeil, of Bayfield, Colo., died October 7, 2019, under hospice care at Four Corners Nursing home in Durango, Colo. He was 78 years old. Bucky was born on July 6, 1941 in Antigo to the late Kenneth and Nelda (Sparks) McNeil.

Bucky graduated from Antigo High School in 1959. While in high school, he worked for his uncle, Don McNeil, at Dunrite Construction. He then went on to work at his parents’ Antigo grocery store, Easy Way Super Value. The knowledge, skills and entrepreneurial spirit he gained at those family-owned businesses formed the foundation of a career that spanned more than four decades.

In 1970, Bucky, along with, Richard West, incorporated Tradewell Electric & Heating, which in 1973 became McNeil West, Inc., an Antigo-based general contracting company. In 1971, Bucky and Richard, along with Bob McCormick, founded 20^th Century Foods, a franchise group that, at its peak, included 21 Hardee’s restaurants across Wisconsin, as well as hotels, radio stations and apartment complexes. Bucky worked at McNeil West until he retired in 2013.

Bucky was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing golf, and spending time with family and friends at his cabin and cottage. He also loved reading a good western, playing softball and playing cards. He was a past member of the Elks Club.

Bucky is survived by his children, Pat McNeil and Donna (Mike) Garrison, both of Bayfield, Colo., and Tom McNeil and Shannon McNeil, both of Wausau; grandchildren Michael McNeil of Lincoln Park, Ill, and Matt Garrison of Bayfield, Colo.; sisters Judy Seplocha of Antigo, Kathy (Mike) Augustyn of Antigo, and Peggy (Dave) Voigt of Glendale, Ariz.; brother-in-law Mike (Linda) O’Brien of Crandon; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Nelda McNeil; sister Patrecia “Patti” Hickey; brothers-in-law Mike Hickey and Dave Voigt; mother-in-law and father-in-law Tom and Edna (Von Fischbach) O’Brien; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Don and Sally (O’Brien) Mellberg; and grandson Steve McNeil.

A celebration of life will be held in Antigo in November.