Winford Crim Lee

First Sargent Winford Crim Lee, 86 died peacefully in Lacey, Washington on February 14, 2017. A 20 year career veteran, Winford served in the Korean War as a combat medic on “Pork Chop Hill” and in the Vietnam War where he served in the “Big Red 1” unit. Winford was awarded two Bronze Star Medals and the Korean Service and Vietnam Service Medals.

Winford was born on November 18, 1930 in Brownville, AL to Henry Crim Lee and Lois B. Montgomery. He married Helen Louise Cates in Columbus, MS in 1951. After living in several domestic and international military bases. Winford and Louise settled in the Pacific Northwest in 1969 and enjoyed an active outdoor lifestyle where they hiked, camped and boated with their two daughters, Sheila and Janet. Later, Winford and Louise became “snow-birds” and enjoyed RV’ing down to Palm Springs, CA every winter. Winford and Louise were very active in their community.

He is survived by his wife, Louise Lee; daughters, Sheila (Stan) Ditterline and Janet (Richard) Otto; five grandchildren, John (Wendi) Otto, Aaron (Mindy) Ditterline, Laura (Jonathan) Ford , Nathan (Seana) Ditterline and Jared Ditterline; and three great-grandchildren, Kiely Ditterline, Kenley Ditterline, and Isla Ford.

A service will take place at Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park on February 20, 2017 in Tumwater, WA, with a Military Honors interment immediately following.

Donations may be made in Winford’s name to www.carenetolympia.org or to your favorite charity.

Arrangements under the direction of Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Tumwater, WA.