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In memory of

Billy Gene Lee

Mechanicsville, Virginia

July 18, 1930 - May 14, 2021

Jul 18, 1930 - May 14, 2021

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Billy Gene Lee (Bill) 90, of Orange, Virginia, peacefully passed away on May 14, 2021 surrounded by his precious caregiver and friend, Sarah Massucci, and his grandchildren, Dana and Doug.

Billy was born on July 18, 1930 to Luther and Elizabeth Lee in Vincennes, Indiana . After graduating from Frichton High School in 1948, he went to work in the coal mine near Vincennes, Indiana.

After a short time of working in the coal mine, he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1950 and served our country for four years. His final duty station was in Norfolk, Virginia, where he met his future bride.

In 1954, he met and married Nellie (Hope) Crockett. Bill adopted Hope's daughter, Irene Faye and loved and cared for her as his own.

After serving four years in the US Navy, he went on to work for Sperry Marine in Charlottesville, Virginia. He worked as Manufacturing Manager until his retirement. During this time, he had the privilege of owning 2 Cesna airplanes and fell in love with flying.

Instead of continuing in retirement, he went on to work for Waugh Enterprises in Orange, Virginia. He helped run the Harley Davidson dealership and became good friends with the owners, Don and Marcelene Waugh. They traveled the country delivering motorcycles, going to bike rallies, festivals etc. He loved every minute he worked alongside them!

He retired (again) 20 years later and spent his time restoring antique cars, spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren and enjoying life.

After the passing of Nellie (Hope) in 2012, Bill began taking many trips back home to Indiana to visit family. It was on one of those trips that he reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Doris Morris. They rekindled their relationship and Bill would make many trips back and forth from Orange, Virginia to Vincennes, Indiana.

In his last two years, Bill moved to Mechanicsville, Virginia and lived with his granddaughter, Dana Brawley, and her husband, Lonnie. They enjoyed time together, taking several fun trips, to include back home to Indiana; Minot North Dakota to visit his grandson Doug and his longtime girlfriend Liz; and Savannah, Georgia to visit his great grandson, Spenser and his wife Haley.

Bill became an important part of the Western Hanover Church family in Montpelier, Virginia, where Dana and Lonnie serve as pastors. He always had a smile for everyone that walked into the building. He was loved and deeply cared for by the WHC church family. A very special thank you those who took the time to sit and visit and listen to his Navy stories, who took him on outings and just made his life richer. Those include Connie Hairfield, Susan Wingo, Margie Lloyd, Herb & Linda Delbridge, Sandie Taylor and Maria Harding.

In the final weeks of his life, Bill was able to return to his love of flying by taking a trip in a Cesna at Hanover Airport in Hanover, Virginia accompanied by a retired veteran who served as a volunteer in the Civil Air Patrol. He was thrilled to be back in the cockpit! It was a special moment.

The family would like to give special honor and appreciation to sweet Sarah Massucci. She came into Bill’s life about a month before he passed. She cared for and loved him as if he were her own father. We can never find the words to express how much we love and appreciate you. There are angels among us....and you are one of them!

Bill was predeceased by his wife, Nellie Hope Lee; his daughter Irene Faye Smith and her husband Ronald Smith; his father and mother, Luther and Elizabeth Lee; brother Jim Lee and his wife Imogene and their young daughter; brother Donald Lee; sister Joyce Lee; his grandson-in-law Trooper Michael Blanton, his granddaughter Shanna C. Haskins and his precious friend, Doris Morris.

He is survived by his sister, Ruby and her husband Bill; his brother David, brother Jack, brother John and his wife Gayle, brother Bob and wife Mary, daughter Debbie Hennon; grandchildren Dana Brawley and her husband Lonnie, Daniel Smith and his wife Sherri, Douglas Smith and his longtime girlfriend Liz Holte, Ron Smith Jr. and his wife Wanda, Keith Haskins; His great grandchildren Spenser Blanton and his wife Haley, Sarah Brawley, Shannon Wagner and her husband Travis, Sydni Brawley and her fiance, Aaron Uher, Daniel Brawley, David Brawley, Blaire Ryder, Brianna Smith, Austin Smith and a great-great granddaughter Juniper Lee Wagner and a host of other loving family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will take place at Western Hanover Church in Montpelier, Va, as well as at Asbury Chapel in Bicknell, Indiana. Interment will be next to his mom and dad in Asbury Chapel Cemetery. More details will be given as they become available.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Western Hanover Church (please write Bill Lee Memorium in memo section). Donations can be sent to 16050 Mountain Rd, Montpelier, VA 23192 or give online at https://app.easytithe.com/App…

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In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Western Hanover Church.

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