Walter Thomas Lee

1929 - 2014

Mr. Walter Thomas Lee, age 84, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2014.

Walter Thomas Lee, Sr. was born in Anniston, Alabama on April 18, 1929 to the union of Walter Albert and Willie Mae Lee. Walter was united in Holy Matrimony to Bernice Julia Coan on May 10, 1961.

Walter was a Godly man, a family man, and a well-respected community leader. For over 70 years, he was a devoted and faithful steward of Players Chapel CME Church, Anniston, Alabama. His shining example of leadership served as an inspiration to his family of five children. He served as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Anniston Housing Authority, a member of the Committee of United Leadership, a member of Theta Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, and member of Prince Hall Masonic Order.

Walter received a Bachelor's Degree in Public Justice from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas; and a Master's Degree in Counseling from Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama.

Walter retired from the United States Army as Sergeant First Class after serving 28 years. He completed three tours to Vietnam, two to Germany, one in Korea, one in Japan and many others to various military bases throughout the world. One of his many talents afforded him the opportunity to play professional baseball as a member of the United States Army Baseball team. He retired from a second career with the Alabama State Employment Service finding employment for disabled veterans. In his later years, he and his wife relocated to Panama City, Florida.

Walter was preceded in death by his father, Walter Albert Lee; mother, Willie Mae Lee; and sister, Dorothy Louise Estell.
Walter's light will continue to be cherished in the lives of his wife, Bernice Julia Coan Lee of Panama City, Florida; his children, Nona (Kenneth) Lee-Eatmon of Birmingham, Alabama, Henrietta Lee-Reed of Atlanta, Georgia, Walter T. Lee, Jr. of Panama City, Florida, Jacqueline (Rickie) Crum of Panama City, Florida, Allyson Lee of Stone Mountain, Georgia; sister, Katherine Hill of Chicago, Illinois; fourteen grandchildren, Alexis, Dominique, Manuel, Antwaun, Ashlee, Donnell, Darnell, Massai, Quintin, Amber, Walter, Rickie, Jerrell, Jai; and five great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at Living Water Ministries in Lynn Haven, with entombment to follow at Kent-Forest Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Heritage Funeral Home Chapel from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 31, 2014. Family service will begin at 7:00 p.m. Those wishing to extend a word of condolence may do so at www.heritagefhllc.com.

Heritage Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
247 N. Tyndall Parkway
Panama City, Fla.
850-785-1316