Willie James Lee, Sr.

This is the celebration of life and transition of Willie James Lee, Sr.

Willie was born August 13, 1938, in Pioneer, Louisiana, West Caroll Parish. He was the fourth born of ten kids to parents Jimmy and Harietta Lee.

Willie James grew up in a loving, structured household. He attended Magnola Elementary and High School. As a kid, his parents were members of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, where he served as a youth usher.

Willie James served his country and community. He enlisted and served in the Army and National Guards from 1961 to 1965. He served his community as a deputy sheriff with San Bernadino Sheriff Office from 1965-1970, and campus police at University of Michigan from 1971-1982.

Dad drove cabs throughout Metro Detroit from the mid to late ‘80s before he and his late best friend, Carmichael, founded a security guard company. He took great pride in his work; it didn’t matter if he was guarding a swap meet in San Bernardino or a jewelry store in Palm Springs, he consistently greeted everyone with the same level of kindness and respect!

Our father was a great man. He was by no means perfect, but still a great man.

Willie James was preceded in death by parents, Jimmy and Harrietta Lee; adoptive parents, Mammon and Annie May Savage; siblings, Virginia Lee, Franklin Lee, Joseph (Teddy) Lee, and James Ray; and brother, Lee.

Willies James was survived by: three siblings, Margie Skannal, Sarah (Polly) (husband Wilburt) Bateast, and Jimmy Sue Gibson; eight kids, James Willam (wife, Valarie) Lee, Yvonne Yvette Lee, Yvette La’Shawda Lee, Willie James Lee, Jr., and Douglas De’Monte Lee, and stepsons, Brian Devin Cannon, Carl Wayne Cannon, and Lamar Phillp Lee; granddaughter who lived with him for years, TeAsha Lashawn Morris; great-grandson, Tu’Shawn Le’Rell Morris; and a host of grandkids, great-grandkids, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

You’ll be greatly missed
NEVER Forgotten.
FLY HIG DAD
We love you.

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