Billy Ray Lee, Sr.

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Billy Ray Lee on May 7, 2025, at the age of 86. Bill was born to James and Martha Lee on November 19, 1938. He was a devoted family man with a larger-than-life personality who never met a stranger. His smile could light up a room the moment he walked in.

On September 23, 1961, Bill married the love of his life, Sue. Together, they had four children: Billy, Felicia, Jeremy, and Heath.

Bill attended the University of Arkansas and Southern Arkansas University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Education. He taught agriculture for 17 years in Plummerville, AR, and concluded his teaching career in Delight, AR after 13 years. Over his 30-year teaching journey, he was affectionately known as "Mr. Lee" to thousands of students. FFA was a way of life in the Lee household—so much so that all three of his sons followed in his footsteps to become agriculture teachers, carrying forward a legacy of blue and gold for generations.

After retiring from teaching, Bill worked as an insurance agent for Farm Bureau for 21 years. He loved people, conversation, and storytelling, and selling insurance gave him the chance to visit with folks for hours and he and Sue were able to travel the world during this time. In his later years, after retiring from Farm Bureau, Bill spent his days on his farm, riding his tractor and tending to his cattle.

Bill loved to tell a story, and some of his favorite topics included all things Chevy, Black Angus cattle, the Dallas Cowboys, and Dale Earnhardt. However, more than any of those subjects, his eyes would light up when he got to share his love for his Lord and Savior. Bill was a deacon at his church and loved sharing about the Lord.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, James and Martha Lee; his daughter, Felicia Ann Summers; his son-in-law, Robert Summers; and his siblings, Clara Fae McKinnon, Sally White, and Jack Lee.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sue, and his sons: Billy Lee Jr. (Cindy), Jeremy Lee (Jeanie), and Heath Lee (Bobbie Jo). He also leaves behind his grandchildren: Taylor and Summer Lee, Tabitha Oller (Daniel), Tiffany Couch (Caden), Samantha Stone (Trey), Shane Aleshire (Dala), Chris Aleshire (Shannon), Brandi Squires (Will), Madison Lee, and Rhett Lee. Great-grandchildren include Braylin Summers, Cade Robert and Cruz Couch, Rowlan and Fisher Stone, Mackenzie, Katie, and Brody Aleshire, Elaina and Eliza Aleshire, and Ziva, Emmeline, and Solomon Squires. Great-great-grandchild, Wyatt. His sister Susie “Blossie” Jester and a multitude of nieces and nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025 at Latimer Funeral Home in Murfreesboro.

Funeral services for Mr. Lee will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday May 10, 2025 at Delight First Baptist Church with Bro. John David Watson and Bro. Bill Williams officiating. Interment will follow in Delight Cemetery, under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home of Murfreesboro.

You may send an online sympathy message at www.latimerfuneralhome.com