William Lea Sr.

WILLIAM LEA, SR., of Memphis, died August 6, 2011 at Methodist University Hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marion Snow and William Lea; a son, William Lea, Jr.; and two sisters, Annie Canon Dubberly and Phoebe Lea Evans. He was born in Red Banks, MS on December 21, 1918, educated in Holly Springs, MS public schools, and graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation in 1940, he began a 40 year career with Southern Boiler and Tank Works, retiring as Chief Operating Officer. During World War II, he served 3 years in the South Pacific, being honorably discharged as a Navy Lt. JG. A longtime member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, he served on the Chapter as Chapter Warden and Bishop’s Warden, on the Bishop and Council, and for 25 years as Chairman of Buildings & Grounds. For many years he was an active member of the Memphis Kiwanis Club and the Memphis Engineers Club, serving a term a President. He also served as a Director of Alpha Chemical Corporation. He gave generously of his expertise and time as a volunteer with MIFA, Habitat for Humanity, and Trezevant Manor. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Elizabeth Dowell Lea; a son, Dr. Clark Dowell Lea and wife, Pamela, of Nashville; a daughter, Mary Barton Lea of Little Rock; 4 grandchildren, William Alexander Lea and wife, Lila, of New York City, Eva Lea of Nashville, Clark Dowell Lea, Jr., and wife, Allison, of Los Angeles, CA, Elizabeth Lea of Nashville; 1 great-grandchild, Mary Madison Lea of New York City; a sister, Susan Lea McGowan of Bradenton, FL; and a devoted caregiver, Zshanesha “Lisa” Williams. Services will be held on Tuesday, August 9, at 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral with burial to follow in Memorial Park. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday in St. Mary’s Parish Hall. Memorials may be sent to St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Trezevant Manor, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at memphisfuneralhome.net Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens 3700 N. Germantown Parkway 901-725-0100