Bill Lee

William "Bill" Howard Lee

BOSSIER CITY, LA - William "Bill" Howard Lee, 89, passed away peacefully into the arms of his Heavenly Father on December 6, 2014. A celebration of his life will be held Wednesday, December 10, 2014, at 10 a.m. at South Bossier Baptist Church. Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 9, 2014, from 5-7 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home on Airline Drive. Officiating will be Rev. Billy Pierce. Interment will follow at Hill Crest Memorial Cemetery in Haughton.

Bill, the youngest of seven children, was born to Ansel B. Lee, Sr. and Myrtle Hines Lee on June 26, 1925, in Kosciusko, Mississippi. He was 17 when he enlisted in the Navy to serve in World War II. His four older brothers were already serving their country. All five of the Lee boys returned home after the war, which Bill always said was a miracle of God. After the war, Bill attended Mississippi College and the University of Mississippi, majoring in journalism. While attending Ole Miss, he met his sweetheart of almost 63 years, on a blind date. He and Wadfur "Speedy" Isom were married March 30, 1950, and raised four children together.

Bill was a well-respected journalist, working in the newspaper industry for almost 40 years. He served as a reporter and editor for a number of weekly and daily papers in west Texas and central Texas. However, he is best known for the 16 years that he served as state editor of the Shreveport Journal, where he wrote feature stories, edited news copy and managed correspondents from all over the ArkLaTex.

This dedicated father loved to travel and took his family on long vacations every summer. His children cherish those memories. An avid Ole Miss fan, Bill never missed a chance to root for his beloved Rebels. Watching college football and cheering on his St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series were two of his favorite pastimes. He also was active in church throughout his life. Bill taught Sunday School classes for teenage boys and is remembered as being a mentor by many who are grown and making their marks on society. In his later years, he and Speedy were charter members of South Bossier Baptist Church. They enjoyed going on outings with their Sunday School Class.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Wadfur "Speedy" Lee, his parents, four brothers and two sisters. He is survived by son Mark H. Lee and wife Jeanne of Conroe, Texas; daughters Brenda Lee Watson and husband Wayne of College Station, Texas; Judy Lee Jones and husband Mike of Blanchard, Louisiana; Kim Lee England and husband Ben of Bossier City; grandchildren Adam C. Lee, Brandon Lee, Blake W. Lee, Nikki Jones Duncan, Steven Jones, Daniel England and four great-granddaughters. He is also survived by his half-sister, Faira Lee Bishop of Madison, Mississippi, and sister-in-law Lois Lee of Sevierville, Tennessee, along with many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be two grandsons and three sons-in-law. Honorary pallbearers will be Leon Darden and J.C. Barnett.

Memorials may be made to South Bossier Baptist Church, 1155 Sligo Road, Bossier City, Louisiana 71112 or to the charity of your choice.