Willie Ray "Bud" Lee

He was born to Willie Carroll Lee and Ruth Jane Galloway on March 28, 1928, in McCaulley, Texas. Bud graduated from McCaulley High School in 1945.

He married Barbara Rodgers in Hamlin, Texas on June 22, 1952. The couple lived in Hamlin until 1954 when they moved to Midland. In 1958, he moved his family to Odessa and lived there for the remainder of his life.

Bud served in the United States Army Air Corps from 1946 to 1949 achieving the rank of Corporal and was awarded a Good Conduct Medal as well as the World War II Victory Medal. He received a FAA Airframe Powerplant License from Dallas Aviation in 1950. Bud worked in the petroleum industry the majority of his career. He was employed at CEI Plastics for 25 years and retired as manager in 1993.

He was a long time member of the Breakfast Optimist Club and served as President for one year. Bud also was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and served as Commander for one year.

In November of 1968, he was baptized by CB “Bill” Hogue and was a long time, serving member of Crescent Park Baptist Church. He could often be seen greeting people at the doors on Sunday morning with a handshake, a joke, and a smile.

Bud was a faithful man: faithful to his God, to his family and to his work. He was always an honorable provider for his family and a source of love and protection to the ones he loved. Bud also had what he called a “go gut.” He loved to travel. He and Barbara took many trips around the United States in their RV and made it a point to visit family often. A man blessed with many friends, he was loved by all who knew him and will be missed greatly.

He is survived by his loving wife Barbara Rodgers Lee; daughter, Georgia Whalen, husband Rusty and granddaughter April of Tulsa, Oklahoma; sister, Lila Reynolds of Clovis, New Mexico; niece Linda Davis of Grand Junction, Colorado; nieces Barbara Slemp and Virginia McCleery both of Clovis, New Mexico; brother-in-law Leo Emmot of Beloit, Kansas; sister-in-law Lois Minton and niece Carla McDaniel of Midland; nephew, Craig Lee of La Porte, Texas; and grand-nieces and nephews Tatum Lee MacNaughton, Jake Lee, Jeff McDaniel, and Paige McDaniel Bartlett. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Faye Emmot, and brother-in-law John Reynolds.

The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, February 15, 2010, at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.

A graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 9 a.m. A memorial service will follow at Crescent Park Baptist Church, Odessa, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. David Miller and Rev. Greg Morris officiating.

Bud stated that his hope for the future was to bring the lost souls of the world into the arms of the Lord. Sharing in this desire, his granddaughter April is currently living in Northern Africa serving the people there in a two year commitment and is unable to attend the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Crescent Park Baptist Church Building Fund.

Online condolences may be made at www.frankwwilson.com

Services are entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.