William (Bill) H. Lee

Bill was born on January 27, 1940 in Richmond, Kentucky to the late Harvey and Pearl (Allen) Lee. He graduated from Madison High School, class of 1959 in Richmond.

Bill was an outstanding halfback in high school, earning recruiting visits to the Universities of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Eastern Kentucky. He chose Eastern Kentucky in his hometown of Richmond After college, he enlisted in the US Air Force. While stationed in Grand Rapids, Minnesota he met the love of his life Sharon. They married and moved to Negaunee, where he would reside until his passing.

Bill worked for CCI for 35 years both underground and open pit at the Mather B and Empire Mines, retiring in 2003. Bill also served his country in both the US Air Force and the Michigan Army National Guard, retiring honorably in 2000.

Bill was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Negaunee and his faith was very important to him. He was also a member of the Negaunee Elks and the American Legion of Marquette. He could fix or build anything. He renovated his current home and custom built his own cabinets in the mid-70’s with a corded drill and a bench-top table saw. He loved animals and always owned a dog or a cat while ensuring his doors stayed open for any stray animal, to include raccoons. Bill enjoyed gardening, cooking, helping with local elections and volunteering at his church. He was an avid fisherman and he enjoyed watching all sports, especially Kentucky Wildcat basketball.

Bill is survived by his son Daniel (Mary) Rodeck of Grand Ledge, MI, his daughter Debbie (Charlie VanBeynen) Hatcher of Negaunee, and son Michael (Tracy) Lee of Dewitt, MI; grandchildren Emily Rodeck, Elizabeth Rodeck, Henry Lee and Jordan (Duncan) Fox, and great-grandchild Georgia Fox, as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sharon in 2018, son William in 2023, his brothers Troy, James and Michael and his son-in-law, Josh Hatcher in 2001. Honoring Bill’s request private family services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to UPAWS 815 S. M-553, Gwinn, MI 49841 or Bethany Lutheran Church, 550 Cherry Street, Negaunee, MI 49866. The Canale Tonella Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at canalefuneral.com