OBITUARY: John William Lee

Published 1:48 pm Monday, November 18, 2024

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Mr. John William Lee age 88 of Troy, Alabama, passed away Wednesday November 6, 2024, in Hermitage, Tenn.

He was born in the community of Bradley, Al, on September 28, 1936, to Houston D. and Flossie Mae Lee.  His home during his formative years was the same community into which he was born, Bradley.  He graduated from W.S. Neal High School, East Brewton, in Spring of 1954, and voluntarily entered the Air Force in June following his graduation.  John served primarily in Okinawa, during his service years, and was released from active duty in December of 1957.  He continued to serve in the Air Force Reserves until his honorable discharge in June of 1962.

Using the GI Bill, John enrolled in college, graduating from formerly named Troy State College in 1961, with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, after which he taught briefly at Montgomery Academy in Montgomery, Al.  While at Troy, he met his partner for life, Joyce, and they married in March of 1962, while he was teaching at Montgomery Academy.  In Fall of 1962, he enrolled in Sam Houston State University and graduated with a Master of Mathematics.  Subsequently, Troy State College hired John, and he enjoyed a long teaching career there of 33 years.  He completed post-master work in mathematics at New Mexico State University.

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John Loved the community of Bradley, Al, returning often to the homestead to visit with friends and relatives, and to fish and squirrel hunt.  He was a constant fan of his children’s athletic pursuits and attended all their events, along with coaching recreation baseball and basketball in his sons’  younger years.  Later, he loved spending time with his grandchildren.  John was a big fan of Troy University football and basketball and attended as many games as possible.  Other favorite pastimes were golfing, gardening, fishing the creeks of Bradley, tanning hides, and working with wood to create canes, walking sticks, carvings and bluebird houses, among other things.  He was a general handyman, designing and building onto his homes and property, and it seemed he could repair almost anything around his house.

John is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joyce Lynn Anderson Lee, his children Linda (Jeff) DiLullo and Dan (Olya) Lee, and his siblings Fay (Bob) Lee and Dan (Martha) Lee, and his sister-in-law, Mary Lee.  He will be fondly remembered by his seven beloved grandchildren, Rhianna, Sam, Andrew, Hannah Lee, Emma, Abby, and Maxime, and his one great-grandchild, Eldred, as well as seven nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Christine and Ed, and his son, Scott.

A visitation was held Saturday November 16, 2024 at Bradley Assembly of God Church, Bradley, Al.

Funeral services for Mr. John William Lee were held Saturday November 16, 2024, at 12:00PM from the Bradley Assembly of God Church with Bro. David Elliott officiating.  Interment with military honors will follow in the Bradley Assembly of God Church Cemetery with CRAVER’S FUNERAL HOME INC OF BREWTON DIRECTING.

Pallbearers:  Sam Lee, Andrew DiLullo, Maxime Lee, Jeff DiLullo, Johnny Mac Douglas, and Jason Elliott.

Please share your memories and condolences with the family at www.craversfh.com