Willie Pratt Lee Sr.
May 8, 1929 - Aug. 14, 2015
Willie Pratt Lee, Sr., 86, of Sarasota, FL, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2015. Willie was born May 8, 1929 in Thomasville, Alabama to the late Etta Jewel Hudson Lee and Shelly Avery Lee. He was predeceased by his two older sisters (Eunice and Neva) and one younger brother (Joe).
Willie grew up in Alabama with many aunts, uncles and cousins nearby. Countless family members played fiddle or guitar and sang. His early music life was steeped in country western and grand ole opry. Willie played guitar and had a fine singing voice.
He left home at 16 to join the Army Air Forces. He loved his family and home state (he was an avid Alabama football fan), but longed to see the world. He wed Agnes Vernelle Robinson on September 10, 1949 and they celebrated 63 years of marriage before Agnes died on March 20, 2013. Willie and Agnes had and are survived by four children-Willie P. Lee, Jr., ('Bill'), Shelia Lee Fisher, Mitchell R. Lee and Michael L. Lee-eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Initially a radar specialist, Willie served three years active duty in the Army Air Forces. He earned a degree in electronic engineering and, after an honorable military discharge, joined Bendix Corporation's aeronautical space division. He and Agnes moved their family many times over the next two decades-including stints in Washington DC, Montana, Ohio, Germany, New York State, Maryland, and New Jersey.
After their children were grown, Willie was promoted to Vice President of Bendix's (now Allied Signal) South American business and he and Agnes moved to Rio de Janeiro where they became avid golfers. In 1986, after 32 years with Bendix/Allied Signal, Willie accepted early retirement and he and Agnes moved to Sarasota. He earned a stock broker's license, a real estate license, headed up the local U.S. Census in 1990, and then started his own business selling ink jet and laser cartridges.
In addition to a love for music and travel, Willie embraced education-for himself and his children-and was always fascinated by technology (radios, televisions, cars, boats, airplanes, cameras, computers and smart phones). When Willie finally retired, he spent hours learning the latest photography techniques, fascinating everyone with his mastery of digital cameras and computer programs to enhance his material. Not surprisingly he won awards, made many new friends and stayed interesting and interested.
Willie was a quick wit and loved a good joke. He was always charming and retained a wicked sense of humor to the end.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Ride 2 Recovery's Tampa Bay area local group, Project HERO Pinellas (https://ride-2-recovery.everydayhero.com/us/Pinellas), a group dedicated to helping injured veterans recover through cycling. Willie supported this group not only as a veteran of the Army Air Forces but also through the personal connection of his son, Mitchell, who is an active participant/rider.
Published in Herald Tribune from Aug. 19 to Aug. 20, 2015
May 8, 1929 - Aug. 14, 2015
Willie Pratt Lee, Sr., 86, of Sarasota, FL, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2015. Willie was born May 8, 1929 in Thomasville, Alabama to the late Etta Jewel Hudson Lee and Shelly Avery Lee. He was predeceased by his two older sisters (Eunice and Neva) and one younger brother (Joe).
Willie grew up in Alabama with many aunts, uncles and cousins nearby. Countless family members played fiddle or guitar and sang. His early music life was steeped in country western and grand ole opry. Willie played guitar and had a fine singing voice.
He left home at 16 to join the Army Air Forces. He loved his family and home state (he was an avid Alabama football fan), but longed to see the world. He wed Agnes Vernelle Robinson on September 10, 1949 and they celebrated 63 years of marriage before Agnes died on March 20, 2013. Willie and Agnes had and are survived by four children-Willie P. Lee, Jr., ('Bill'), Shelia Lee Fisher, Mitchell R. Lee and Michael L. Lee-eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Initially a radar specialist, Willie served three years active duty in the Army Air Forces. He earned a degree in electronic engineering and, after an honorable military discharge, joined Bendix Corporation's aeronautical space division. He and Agnes moved their family many times over the next two decades-including stints in Washington DC, Montana, Ohio, Germany, New York State, Maryland, and New Jersey.
After their children were grown, Willie was promoted to Vice President of Bendix's (now Allied Signal) South American business and he and Agnes moved to Rio de Janeiro where they became avid golfers. In 1986, after 32 years with Bendix/Allied Signal, Willie accepted early retirement and he and Agnes moved to Sarasota. He earned a stock broker's license, a real estate license, headed up the local U.S. Census in 1990, and then started his own business selling ink jet and laser cartridges.
In addition to a love for music and travel, Willie embraced education-for himself and his children-and was always fascinated by technology (radios, televisions, cars, boats, airplanes, cameras, computers and smart phones). When Willie finally retired, he spent hours learning the latest photography techniques, fascinating everyone with his mastery of digital cameras and computer programs to enhance his material. Not surprisingly he won awards, made many new friends and stayed interesting and interested.
Willie was a quick wit and loved a good joke. He was always charming and retained a wicked sense of humor to the end.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Ride 2 Recovery's Tampa Bay area local group, Project HERO Pinellas (https://ride-2-recovery.everydayhero.com/us/Pinellas), a group dedicated to helping injured veterans recover through cycling. Willie supported this group not only as a veteran of the Army Air Forces but also through the personal connection of his son, Mitchell, who is an active participant/rider.
Published in Herald Tribune from Aug. 19 to Aug. 20, 2015
Willie Pratt Lee Sr.
May 8, 1929 - Aug. 14, 2015
Willie Pratt Lee, Sr., 86, of Sarasota, FL, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2015. Willie was born May 8, 1929 in Thomasville, Alabama to the late Etta Jewel Hudson Lee and Shelly Avery Lee. He was predeceased by his two older sisters (Eunice and Neva) and one younger brother (Joe).
Willie grew up in Alabama with many aunts, uncles and cousins nearby. Countless family members played fiddle or guitar and sang. His early music life was steeped in country western and grand ole opry. Willie played guitar and had a fine singing voice.
He left home at 16 to join the Army Air Forces. He loved his family and home state (he was an avid Alabama football fan), but longed to see the world. He wed Agnes Vernelle Robinson on September 10, 1949 and they celebrated 63 years of marriage before Agnes died on March 20, 2013. Willie and Agnes had and are survived by four children-Willie P. Lee, Jr., ('Bill'), Shelia Lee Fisher, Mitchell R. Lee and Michael L. Lee-eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Initially a radar specialist, Willie served three years active duty in the Army Air Forces. He earned a degree in electronic engineering and, after an honorable military discharge, joined Bendix Corporation's aeronautical space division. He and Agnes moved their family many times over the next two decades-including stints in Washington DC, Montana, Ohio, Germany, New York State, Maryland, and New Jersey.
After their children were grown, Willie was promoted to Vice President of Bendix's (now Allied Signal) South American business and he and Agnes moved to Rio de Janeiro where they became avid golfers. In 1986, after 32 years with Bendix/Allied Signal, Willie accepted early retirement and he and Agnes moved to Sarasota. He earned a stock broker's license, a real estate license, headed up the local U.S. Census in 1990, and then started his own business selling ink jet and laser cartridges.
In addition to a love for music and travel, Willie embraced education-for himself and his children-and was always fascinated by technology (radios, televisions, cars, boats, airplanes, cameras, computers and smart phones). When Willie finally retired, he spent hours learning the latest photography techniques, fascinating everyone with his mastery of digital cameras and computer programs to enhance his material. Not surprisingly he won awards, made many new friends and stayed interesting and interested.
Willie was a quick wit and loved a good joke. He was always charming and retained a wicked sense of humor to the end.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Ride 2 Recovery's Tampa Bay area local group, Project HERO Pinellas (https://ride-2-recovery.everydayhero.com/us/Pinellas), a group dedicated to helping injured veterans recover through cycling. Willie supported this group not only as a veteran of the Army Air Forces but also through the personal connection of his son, Mitchell, who is an active participant/rider.
Published in Herald Tribune from Aug. 19 to Aug. 20, 2015
May 8, 1929 - Aug. 14, 2015
Willie Pratt Lee, Sr., 86, of Sarasota, FL, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2015. Willie was born May 8, 1929 in Thomasville, Alabama to the late Etta Jewel Hudson Lee and Shelly Avery Lee. He was predeceased by his two older sisters (Eunice and Neva) and one younger brother (Joe).
Willie grew up in Alabama with many aunts, uncles and cousins nearby. Countless family members played fiddle or guitar and sang. His early music life was steeped in country western and grand ole opry. Willie played guitar and had a fine singing voice.
He left home at 16 to join the Army Air Forces. He loved his family and home state (he was an avid Alabama football fan), but longed to see the world. He wed Agnes Vernelle Robinson on September 10, 1949 and they celebrated 63 years of marriage before Agnes died on March 20, 2013. Willie and Agnes had and are survived by four children-Willie P. Lee, Jr., ('Bill'), Shelia Lee Fisher, Mitchell R. Lee and Michael L. Lee-eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Initially a radar specialist, Willie served three years active duty in the Army Air Forces. He earned a degree in electronic engineering and, after an honorable military discharge, joined Bendix Corporation's aeronautical space division. He and Agnes moved their family many times over the next two decades-including stints in Washington DC, Montana, Ohio, Germany, New York State, Maryland, and New Jersey.
After their children were grown, Willie was promoted to Vice President of Bendix's (now Allied Signal) South American business and he and Agnes moved to Rio de Janeiro where they became avid golfers. In 1986, after 32 years with Bendix/Allied Signal, Willie accepted early retirement and he and Agnes moved to Sarasota. He earned a stock broker's license, a real estate license, headed up the local U.S. Census in 1990, and then started his own business selling ink jet and laser cartridges.
In addition to a love for music and travel, Willie embraced education-for himself and his children-and was always fascinated by technology (radios, televisions, cars, boats, airplanes, cameras, computers and smart phones). When Willie finally retired, he spent hours learning the latest photography techniques, fascinating everyone with his mastery of digital cameras and computer programs to enhance his material. Not surprisingly he won awards, made many new friends and stayed interesting and interested.
Willie was a quick wit and loved a good joke. He was always charming and retained a wicked sense of humor to the end.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Ride 2 Recovery's Tampa Bay area local group, Project HERO Pinellas (https://ride-2-recovery.everydayhero.com/us/Pinellas), a group dedicated to helping injured veterans recover through cycling. Willie supported this group not only as a veteran of the Army Air Forces but also through the personal connection of his son, Mitchell, who is an active participant/rider.
Published in Herald Tribune from Aug. 19 to Aug. 20, 2015
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
