Will Lee
@midnoircowboy.bsky.social
Windy City journalist/cheeky bastard. I love Soul music, toys and the 1980s. Also pie>cake.
Showing off my new Chicago flag design.
August 28, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Showing off my new Chicago flag design.
A final thought about Wimp's funeral: The Defender covered Wimp's funeral at the Leak Funeral Home for two days and sold out of all copies. His parents were pleased with how the elaborate Coupe Deville casket turned out.
Here's former columnist Bob Greene talking to Flukey afterward:
Here's former columnist Bob Greene talking to Flukey afterward:
February 14, 2025 at 12:41 AM
A final thought about Wimp's funeral: The Defender covered Wimp's funeral at the Leak Funeral Home for two days and sold out of all copies. His parents were pleased with how the elaborate Coupe Deville casket turned out.
Here's former columnist Bob Greene talking to Flukey afterward:
Here's former columnist Bob Greene talking to Flukey afterward:
Flukey died wearing blue sweatpants, powder blue undershorts, a red leather jacket, a red T-shirt with the word Michigan on it, white sneakers, brown socks and a black cap. No jewelry. His funeral wasn't nearly as flashy as his son's, but it was a spectacle as 7,000 showed up.
February 14, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Flukey died wearing blue sweatpants, powder blue undershorts, a red leather jacket, a red T-shirt with the word Michigan on it, white sneakers, brown socks and a black cap. No jewelry. His funeral wasn't nearly as flashy as his son's, but it was a spectacle as 7,000 showed up.
It turned out that the bodyguard in the tail car had been feeding directions to the killers with his portable phone. A break in the case came from a CB operator who overheard the plan. Two years later he would be sentenced to life in prison for setting up his former boss.
February 14, 2025 at 12:36 AM
It turned out that the bodyguard in the tail car had been feeding directions to the killers with his portable phone. A break in the case came from a CB operator who overheard the plan. Two years later he would be sentenced to life in prison for setting up his former boss.
...two gunmen set upon Flukey's Cadillac and opened fire. Flukey's GF survived, but he and his driver did not. Somehow, these attackers had anticipated Flukey's moves that night although he was always very careful about how he moved.
February 14, 2025 at 12:34 AM
...two gunmen set upon Flukey's Cadillac and opened fire. Flukey's GF survived, but he and his driver did not. Somehow, these attackers had anticipated Flukey's moves that night although he was always very careful about how he moved.
His last night on Earth, Nov. 16, 1986, was pretty easygoing.
Flukey and his lady saw "Something Wild" at the Hyde Park Theater. Then the pair and 2 bodyguards went to an all-night grocery store where he picked up popcorn and bottled water. As they arrived at this GF's home at 7943 S. Ellis Ave...
Flukey and his lady saw "Something Wild" at the Hyde Park Theater. Then the pair and 2 bodyguards went to an all-night grocery store where he picked up popcorn and bottled water. As they arrived at this GF's home at 7943 S. Ellis Ave...
February 14, 2025 at 12:32 AM
His last night on Earth, Nov. 16, 1986, was pretty easygoing.
Flukey and his lady saw "Something Wild" at the Hyde Park Theater. Then the pair and 2 bodyguards went to an all-night grocery store where he picked up popcorn and bottled water. As they arrived at this GF's home at 7943 S. Ellis Ave...
Flukey and his lady saw "Something Wild" at the Hyde Park Theater. Then the pair and 2 bodyguards went to an all-night grocery store where he picked up popcorn and bottled water. As they arrived at this GF's home at 7943 S. Ellis Ave...
But police said Flukey ruled his cocaine and heroin operations with an iron fist, leaving numerous bodies in his wake.
February 14, 2025 at 12:28 AM
But police said Flukey ruled his cocaine and heroin operations with an iron fist, leaving numerous bodies in his wake.
"...They drove off in a splendid caravan--on their way to lunch." This rubbed a lot of cops the wrong way, though he likely had a few on his vast payroll. Flukey was popular on the streets due to his generosity, giving away cash, paying people's rent and giving away turkeys to senior citizens.
February 14, 2025 at 12:24 AM
"...They drove off in a splendid caravan--on their way to lunch." This rubbed a lot of cops the wrong way, though he likely had a few on his vast payroll. Flukey was popular on the streets due to his generosity, giving away cash, paying people's rent and giving away turkeys to senior citizens.
Cops said Flukey became enormously wealthy from trafficking "Mexican Mud" heroin on the South Side. Despite being arrested more than 50 times, he was only convicted of one drug offense. He was untouchable as no criminal charges ever stuck to him.
February 14, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Cops said Flukey became enormously wealthy from trafficking "Mexican Mud" heroin on the South Side. Despite being arrested more than 50 times, he was only convicted of one drug offense. He was untouchable as no criminal charges ever stuck to him.
Flukey was the last of Chicago's drug kingpins who lived more like celebrities than criminals. Like Capone, he claimed to be unemployed and a gambler who somehow had a fleet of Cadillacs and fine clothing. Most will remember how he said farewell to his son, Wimp Stokes, in 1984.
February 14, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Flukey was the last of Chicago's drug kingpins who lived more like celebrities than criminals. Like Capone, he claimed to be unemployed and a gambler who somehow had a fleet of Cadillacs and fine clothing. Most will remember how he said farewell to his son, Wimp Stokes, in 1984.
Bringing over one of my favorite Twitter🧵:
A photo of Willie "Flukey" Stokes, former heroin king of the South Side in the 70s/80s.
"Willie Stokes flashes more jewelry than Elizabeth Taylor. His fingers are weighted with diamond cluster rings as big as silver dollars," the Trib wrote in 1978.
A photo of Willie "Flukey" Stokes, former heroin king of the South Side in the 70s/80s.
"Willie Stokes flashes more jewelry than Elizabeth Taylor. His fingers are weighted with diamond cluster rings as big as silver dollars," the Trib wrote in 1978.
February 14, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Bringing over one of my favorite Twitter🧵:
A photo of Willie "Flukey" Stokes, former heroin king of the South Side in the 70s/80s.
"Willie Stokes flashes more jewelry than Elizabeth Taylor. His fingers are weighted with diamond cluster rings as big as silver dollars," the Trib wrote in 1978.
A photo of Willie "Flukey" Stokes, former heroin king of the South Side in the 70s/80s.
"Willie Stokes flashes more jewelry than Elizabeth Taylor. His fingers are weighted with diamond cluster rings as big as silver dollars," the Trib wrote in 1978.
Chicago's police district map as of 1977. Several of the districts, including Monroe, Wood and Prairie districts have been phased out. #Chicago
December 14, 2024 at 8:22 PM
Chicago's police district map as of 1977. Several of the districts, including Monroe, Wood and Prairie districts have been phased out. #Chicago
Photos of Chicago's original Regal Theatre--our version of the Apollo. The grand ornate venue showed films and musical acts from Nat "King" Cole to the Jackson 5. It was demolished in the early 70s amid a demolition push of all older buildings in the city.
December 5, 2024 at 10:57 PM
Photos of Chicago's original Regal Theatre--our version of the Apollo. The grand ornate venue showed films and musical acts from Nat "King" Cole to the Jackson 5. It was demolished in the early 70s amid a demolition push of all older buildings in the city.
Trying another of mine…
November 26, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Trying another of mine…
Testing my most beloved GIFs on Bluesky. As I upload this, this GIF is animated. Will it animate when it posts?
November 26, 2024 at 5:56 PM
Testing my most beloved GIFs on Bluesky. As I upload this, this GIF is animated. Will it animate when it posts?
Animate damn you!!!
November 25, 2024 at 7:29 PM
Animate damn you!!!
I’m here to bring the content that America (Chicago) demands!!!
November 25, 2024 at 7:27 PM
I’m here to bring the content that America (Chicago) demands!!!
Name something that you ate a lot as a kid, but haven't had in years. My example...
November 21, 2024 at 11:16 PM
Name something that you ate a lot as a kid, but haven't had in years. My example...
Because you asked…
Bob appetit!
Bob appetit!
November 20, 2024 at 10:29 PM
Because you asked…
Bob appetit!
Bob appetit!
Another archive item. This old Tribune clip shows the most common firearms found on Chicago streets. Glad I missed those Flintlock street robberies.
November 20, 2024 at 12:44 AM
Another archive item. This old Tribune clip shows the most common firearms found on Chicago streets. Glad I missed those Flintlock street robberies.
Found in my father’s kitchen. I’m gonna tear thru all of these 1970s recipes.
November 17, 2024 at 2:43 PM
Found in my father’s kitchen. I’m gonna tear thru all of these 1970s recipes.
For my first bluesky post, I choose my favorite gang map of Chicago’s West Side from 1959, courtesy of the Chicago Tribune.
November 16, 2024 at 12:17 AM
For my first bluesky post, I choose my favorite gang map of Chicago’s West Side from 1959, courtesy of the Chicago Tribune.