Billy Charles “Bill’’ Lee, 79, of Phillipsburg, died Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Springfield.
He was born Nov. 2, 1943, in Laclede County, Mo. to William Evert and Dorothy Ann Massey Lee.
On Nov. 9, 1991, he was united in marriage to Cindy Smith.
Those preceding him in death include his parents; one niece, Michelle Lea Griffin; one brother-in-law, Gerald Edward Smith; and his mother-in-law, Jackie Smith.
Bill had a variety of occupations during his working life. He was a distributor of MAC Tools. He was a truck driver for several years. He drove for Independent Stave Company for a period of time. He was a talented musician and bass player. He was a part of many gospel quartets over the years. He was a bronc breaker, bull rider and PBR Champion. Most recently, he worked as a detention officer at Laclede County Jail until his retirement. Time spent with his family is what he treasured most.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy; two children, Stephanie Wade and her husband Mike of Lebanon, and Craig Everett Lee and his wife Lana of Gig Harbor, Wash.; two stepchildren, Malinda Vorel and her husband Jay of Lebanon, and Bobby Broadus and his wife Jonna of Fordland; one sister, Sue Griffin and her husband, Ivan of Bloomfield; grandchildren, Garrett Wade and his wife, Whitney, Mikenon Wade and his wife Michaela, Cassidy, Courtney, Madison and Taylor Lee, Jaseph and Jasmin Vorel, Krissa Gahn and her husband, Josh and Zhoe and Awston Broadus; great-grandchildren, Harper, Maddux and Jeremiah Wade, and Harper and Alana Gahn; his father-in-law, Roy E. Smith of Waleska, Ga.; brothers-in-law, Ronald Dale Smith and his wife Katie of Cartersville, Ga. and Roy E. Smith of Woodstock, Ga.; two nephews, Owen Derick Griffin and his wife Chiharu of Cape Girardeau, and Jackson Smith of Cartersville; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services for Bill Charles “Bill’’ Lee will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 29, 2023, at Shadel’s Colonial Chapel with Dana Wood officiating. Burial will be in White Oak Pond Cemetery. Visitation for Bill will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, at Shadel’s Colonial Chapel. Memorials have been suggested in memory of Bill to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Donations can be left at or mailed to Shadel’s Colonial Chapel, P.O. Box 948 or 1001 N. Lynn, Lebanon, Mo. 65536.
Arrangements are under the direction of Shadel’s Colonial Chapel of Lebanon. Sign guest book at www.shadelscolonialchapel.com.
