03/23/2026
Colonel William R. Lee (Retired) - in remembrance.
https://www.buggsfuneralhome.com/obituaries/william-lee
Colonel William R. Lee, a highly decorated military veteran, dedicated educator, and devoted family man originally from Muskogee, Oklahoma, lived a remarkable life of service. He most recently resided in West Melbourne, Florida.
A viewing will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, March 27, 2026 at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Melbourne, Florida. A celebration of life will begin at 12:00PM with Pastor Nathaniel Harris officiating. For those unable to attend the service it will be live streamed. Information to follow.
Col. Lee's distinguished 30-year military career began after he earned his B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Wilberforce University in Ohio, where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Infantry Branch. His extensive military assignments spanned the globe, including command and staff roles in Vietnam, Korea, Germany, Hawaii, and the Pentagon. He further contributed his expertise as an instructor at the United States Army War College before completing his final active-duty assignment at the American Embassy in Rome, Italy, retiring in 1985.
For his valor and exceptional service, Col. Lee was highly decorated. His numerous awards include the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star Medal with V (Valor) and two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Service Defense Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and multiple foreign medals.
Furthering his education, he also earned an M.S. in Public Administration from Shippensburg University and graduated from the Command and General Staff College and the National Security Management Course.
Following his retirement from the military, Col. Lee transitioned to a second career in Massachusetts, first working as a Proposal Manager with the Raytheon Company in Waltham, and later finding his calling in education as an instructor at Brighton High School in the Boston Public School System. He guided and had a lasting impact on many high schoolers and was fondly remembered by many! He retired from teaching in 2001.
A fiercely dedicated alumnus, Col. Lee left a lasting impact on Wilberforce University. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and was honored as a Trustee Emeritus. As President of the National Alumni Association during the university's sesquicentennial, he led efforts to raise over $1.7 million and was rightfully inducted into the Wilberforce University Alumni Hall of Fame. He was also a proud Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the NAACP, and the Wilberforce University National Alumni Association.
His legacy of service continued through his two sons, William Jr. and David, who completed military tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, respectively.
William is survived by his two sisters Willa Willis of Merritt Island, Florida; Norma Johnson of Cortlandt Manor, New York, his brother, Maurice (Hermine) Lee of Conway, Arkansas, his son, David Lee, and a host of very dear cousins and friends. He is an extremely proud grandfather to Grace Begnell, Joyce Lee, and Yurice Lee, the children of his son David and daughter-in-law AeYoung.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to his daughter’s scholarship fund. Contributions can be made to: Janet Lee Doss Scholarship Fund, Wilberforce University at 1055 N Bickett Road or P.O. Box 1001 Wilberforce, OH 45384.
