Dr. William Chin-Lee

William Chin-Lee (1923 – 2016) the son of the late Sing Yat Lee and Lee Ngon Win Chin, was born and raised in Washington, DC. He was the oldest child of his mother and had many brothers and sisters. His brothers, Victor Lee, Henry Chin, Bill Q. Hong, James Chin, Carl Chin, and Edmond Chin, passed away before him. He is survived by siblings Robert Chin (Helen Wong), Sherman Chin (Donna Matula), Mary Lee (the late Fatt M. Lee), and Elizabeth Wong (Thomas Wong). He grew up in a neighborhood not far from the White House, swam in the Potomac and went fishing in the tidal basin. He worked in the family laundry. William attended church at the Chinese Community Church in Washington, D.C., and attended Bible study regularly. During World War II, William studied at American University and while a sophomore in college he joined the Army. He served in the Army and was admitted to George Washington University Medical School after sophomore year in college because of the high demand for medical doctors. He graduated from George Washington University Medical School in 1948, the same year that he married the late Nancy Wong at the Church of the Epiphany. William also served in the US Air Force during the Korean War in upstate New York. William and Nancy raised five children; William Bruce, MD, (Devin Hom), Sandra Louise (Philip Hays), the late Warren Douglass (survived by Deede Chan), Peter Edward (Eleanor Lee) and Cynthia Denise (Peter Ching). With Nancy managing the domestic front, William started a successful internal medicine practice in DC Chinatown. In addition to his private practice, William served as chief medical director of the DC Police and Fire Clinic for 20 years. He held many leadership positions in the community, including: President of the Chinese Benevolent Association President of Chi-Am Lion's Club President of the Lee Family Credit Union Federal City College Board member member of the Urban League Executive Council of the National Chinese Welfare Council member Advisory Co-Chair of the Chinese Culture and Education Center Chairman of the YMCA Camp Lichtman Board Education Committee of the National Republican Heritage Groups Council member Trustee of the Chinese Community Church Active in politics as well, he won the Republican nomination for non-voting delegate to Congress in 1972, but lost to the Democratic candidate. He helped many other initiatives, including the founding of Diplomat National Bank, the Wah Luck House senior housing development, the Organization of Chinese Americans, and many other projects, including helping to manage the family real estate business, Chin, Inc, which later acquired the Best Western Downtown Hotel. William and his wife Nancy also loved babysitting and visiting with their 12 grandchildren: Warren Christopher (Crystal Walton); Zachary Hays (Rachael Rogers); Will; Peter Hays; Blake, MD (Gina (Nam); Douglass; Brittany (Alex Skinner); Vanessa Pan; Alexandra (Byron Ballard-Lyles); Michael; Michelle; and Joshua Ching. William was blessed by three great grandchildren: Logan and Kai Chin-Lee and Kailyn Hays.