Billy Charles Lee

BILLY CHARLES "BILL" LEE, son of William Evert and Dorothy Ann Massey Lee, was born November 2, 1943, in Laclede County, Missouri and departed this life to enter his Heavenly home on June 24, 2023, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of seventy-nine years.
Bill made a profession of faith in Christ as a young boy. His greatest testimony was through his gift of song. Bill was a talented musician and bass player. His family recalls when he began playing the bass he had to stand on a bucket because his instrument was so much bigger than he was. Over the years, he mastered his talent and became a part of several gospel quartets, as well as had a successful solo career. He loved the Lord and shared his story of salvation as often as possible.
On November 9, 1991, Bill was united in marriage with Cindy Smith. Together they shared thirty-one years of laughter and love, triumph and tears, side by side.
Bill worked hard to provide for his family. He had a variety of occupations over the years. In younger years, he was a distributer of MAC Tools. He was also an over the road truck driver for a period of time. During those years, he also drove for Independent Stave. He loved his custom built Peterbilt truck and was proud to drive it as often as he could. He was a bronc breaker and a bull rider, as well as a PBR Champion. Most recently, he was a correction and detention officer at Laclede County Jail, where he retired.
Bill never set idle, he was always active and involved in something. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and driving race cars. He was an avid collector of guns and enjoyed shooting. He enjoyed boating, working cattle, breeding dogs and had recently set up a home gym. He had a collection of custom made boots and hats, he was quite stylish. However, of all his many loves, nothing compared to the time spent and laughter shared with his family. They were his greatest accomplishment. He loved them limitlessly.
Bill is survived by his wife, Cindy; two children, Stephanie Wade and her husband Mike of Lebanon, MO and Craig Everett Lee and his wife Lana of Gig Harbor, WA; two step-children, Malinda Vorel and her husband Jay of Lebanon, MO and Bobby Broadus and his wife Jonna of Fordland, MO; one sister, Sue Griffin and her husband, Ivan of Bloomfield, MO; grandchildren, Garett Wade and his wife, Whitney, Mikenon Wade and his wife Michaela, Cassidy, Courtney, Madison and Taylor Lee, Chase LeFors, Chelsea Metcalf, Lance LeFors, Jaseph and Jasmin Vorel, Krissa Gahn and her husband, Josh and Zhoe and Awston Broadus; great-grandchildren, Harper, Maddux and Jeremiah Wade, Caleb Finney 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, MO and Jackson Smith of Cartersville, MO; other relatives and many friends.
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 was so many things to so many people. The impact he had on our lives was great and he will forever be missed. Farther along we'll know all about it. Farther along we'll understand why. Until then, we look forward to the day we are reunited at the pearly gates.
Memorials have been suggested in memory of Bill to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. (Please make checks payable to St. Jude's)
Donations can be left at or mailed to Shadel's Colonial Chapel, P.O. Box 948 or 1001 N. Lynn, Lebanon, MO 65536.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Billy Charles LEE, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.