William George Lee

Lexington – William “Bill” George Lee, 82, died Wednesday, February 28. He passed away peacefully in his sleep after a four-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. At the time of his passing, Bill lived in Wellmore of Lexington’s Skilled Nursing Unit with his loving wife of 60 years, Brenda.

Bill was born in Port Arthur, Texas, in 1941 to Lloyd and Edith Lee. He was a boy scout, math tutor, hunter, fisherman, golfer and avid baseball player growing up. He first met his high school sweetheart Brenda McNabb at a local baseball game where he was playing for a community team. He also played baseball for Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, Texas, and graduated TJ High in 1959. He then studied engineering at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he earned his bachelor’s degree. Recruited by the federal government while still in college, he went on to work all over the United States as a civil engineer specializing in bridge design. Bill and Brenda married in 1963 while Bill was working in Idaho. They had their first child, Tracy, while in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and finally settled in Columbia, SC, where they had their second child, Heather. Bill worked for the Federal Highway Administration in Columbia until he retired, only to then be recruited back into a similar job in Florida. Eventually, Bill and Brenda returned to Lexington, SC, to be near family and Bill finally retired permanently.

Bill was a strong Christian who loved singing tenor in the church choir. He was honored to serve as a Deacon. He also thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship he felt in Sunday School. Through the years, he and Brenda were active members of First Baptist Church West Columbia, Northside Baptist Church, and most recently, Lexington Baptist Church.

Bill enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. Depending on the season, he was often up and out of the house before sunrise on his next great adventure with either a boat or a four-wheeler being pulled behind his pickup truck. He loved participating in bass-fishing tournaments, and loved them even more when he won them, which he did often over the years. Brenda lovingly “banned” any once-living trophies on the walls of their home, but his boat garage was his haven, and on those walls, large-mouth bass and deer antlers were in abundance. He also was always generous with his catch, and he happily bestowed fileted fish and venison on anyone who enjoyed them.

Bill was a devoted family man, not only to the love of his life and their two daughters, but also to his sons in law, grandchildren, and extended family in Texas. He never said no when asked to help and would graciously do anything for anyone at a moment’s notice. He truly had a servant’s heart and a strong sense of loyalty, especially to his family and friends. “The long goodbye” of his disease slowly took his ability to serve away. Something that troubled him deeply. The family’s prayer is that he is now finding new ways to serve others in Heaven, with the bright mind and strong body that his disease took away.

A graveside service will be held 1 p.m., Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Elmwood Cemetery in Columbia. Family will receive friends immediately after the service. Dunbar Funeral Home Devine Street Chapel is handling the arrangements.

Those left to cherish Bill’s memory include his wife, Brenda, also a dementia patient at Wellmore; daughters Tracy Lee McKelvey (Steve) and Heather Lee Kennerly (John); grandchildren Elise McKelvey, Autumn Kennerly and Bridget Kennerly; and brother, Ward Lee of Beaumont, Texas. Bill was predeceased by his parents, Lloyd and Edith Lee of Beaumont, Texas.