“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life” John 3:16

On October 20, 2017, William M. (Bill) Lee of Fort Walton Beach, FL closed his eyes and went to meet Jesus.

Bill was born to Edward McMillian Lee and Dora Peoples Lee on September 1, 1930, in Appalachian Hospital, Johnson City, Tennessee.  Bill’s life revolved around God and his family whom he loved with all his heart.  Bill and his wife, Pat, were married in Gate City, Virginia on October 10, 1956 after dating over four years.  Pat worked in nurses training while finishing high school in a program call Diversified Occupation. Bill was a funeral director and ambulance driver.  He met Pat when he took a patient to the hospital where she was working at the emergency desk.  They both fell in love at that time.  In 1958-59 Bill worked for the Johnson City Police Department and Pat worked as a doctor’s assistant for Dr. McFadden.  Bill brought his family to Fort Walton Beach and went to work for the FWB Police Department in 1961. Pat went to work for the Fort Walton Beach Hospital in the emergency room and EKG department.

During the next 25 years, Bill served as patrolman, sergeant, lieutenant, shift commander, crime prevention officer and public relations officer where he was in charge of a 30 member auxiliary for officers that were training to be reserve officers.  Bill instructed at Okaloosa Walton Junior College in breath testing for alcohol for 16 years in addition to his police work.  He was the charter President of the Okaloosa Lodge 44 Fraternal Order of Police.  Bill's wife Pat was the charter President of the Fraternal Order of Police Okaloosa Lodge 44 Ladies Auxiliary. Bill retired in 1986 due to injuries sustained in 1979 in the line of duty.  He was an active member of Wright Baptist Church where he served as usher and assisted Pat in teaching preschool children in Sunday school and Vacation Bible School.  Due to previous back injuries which began to restrict their movements, they both had to retire from this blessed work which they loved very much.  Bill and Pat had many good friends at the church and for several years the parents of children they had taught brought them to visit with them at home and that made Bill and Pat feel very blessed.

Bill was preceded in death by his precious wife and best friend, Pat.  They were married for 52 years.  He was also preceded in death by his father, Edward M. Lee, his mother, Dora Lee Stuart, and infant brother, Richard Tyrone Lee.  He is survived by his two sons, William M. Lee II (Cheryl) of Siler City, NC and David Anthony Lee of Chipley, FL;  Grandsons:  William M. Lee of San Antonio, TX & Tristan Lee of Siler City, NC; Granddaughter; Jena Noel Shelly (Adam) of Chipley, FL, Great Grandchildren; Kala, Aubrey, & William Lee of San Antonio, TX and Sophie Marie, Maddie & Peyton Shelly of Chipley, FL.  Sisters: Shirley Knox of Ft. Walton Beach, FL &  Patricia Counts of Jonesborough, TN;  Nephews: Bill Knox of Ft. Walton Beach, FL & Robert Marks of Myrtle Beach, SC; Nieces: Deborah Jensen, Theresa Rose & Rebecca Manis of TN.  Sister-in-law: Barbara Monroe (Gary) & brother-in-law Dan Jenkins of TN.  Half-sisters Virginia (Payne (Julian), Texie Freeman (Andrew) & Barbara Smith (Mark) of TX.

Funeral Services will be held at Wright Baptist Church, 795 Beal Parkway NW, Ft. Walton Beach, FL on October 25, 2017 at 3:00 PM with Rev. Wes Ratliff officiating.  Visitation will be held one hour before.  Graveside services will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery.

Flowers will be gratefully accepted or donations in Bill’s name may be made to Wright Baptist Church Building Fund.

Bill is not dead.  He is alive, at peace and happy with Jesus in Heaven.  At last he is in no more pain and is with his beloved wife, Pat.  He was a wonderful son, husband, father, brother, uncle and great-grandfather.  Blessed be the name of Jesus. 

 Service Information