William H. Lee, Jr.

We are sad to announce the passing of Mr. William H. Lee, Jr., favorably known as Bill, Pop, and Daddy-O, as he lost his battle with cancer at the age of 76. Bill was born in Savannah, GA and attended H.V. Jenkins High School (class of 1964). After high school, Bill served in the Georgia Air National Guard for three years and U.S. Army for two years before starting a family. Bill married his first wife, Debbie, and fathered three children (Terry, Michelle, and Kristy). As a young adult, he and his family were active in the community at South Gardens Baptist Church, and Bill served as a mentor for the Royal Ambassadors (RAs) and coach for the baseball team. He graduated from the IBEW Local Union 508’s electrical apprenticeship program and started a career as a journeyman electrician. Bill later became a small business owner and co-owner, with various businesses servicing the local Savannah area (Lee Electric, Thirteenth Colony Construction, and Forever Christmas).

Bill married his current wife, Liz, over thirty-five years ago, adding two more daughters, Renee and Brooke, to their blended family. Bill and Liz shared many hobbies over the years, including fishing, gardening, classic cars, music, regional history, all things Mickey Mouse, and enjoyed taking the roads less traveled on their adventures. Bill and Liz have lived on Wilmington Island for almost thirty years and are members of First Baptist Church of the Islands. They were active in Tybee Island community organizations and participated in parades and other events for many years. Bill served as District Commander for the regional chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, held the offices of Sr. Vice and Jr. Vice for the Tybee Island American Legion (Post 154), and was a member of The Forty and Eight honor society of American veterans. One of Bill’s most memorable roles in the community was playing the part of Santa Claus. What began as a special treat for his own children and extended family grew to something he shared with various groups in the community. Countless children and pets have benefited from his enthusiastic Christmas Spirit for over fifty years, because “if you don’t believe, you don’t receive.”

Bill is survived by his wife, Liz Lee, their fur-baby, Sarah, and all their children. Bill’s three children and their families include his son Terry Lee and his wife, Nikki, with grandsons Conner (and wife Randi) and Chris Lee, daughter Michelle Lee and her husband Steven Sandifer, and daughter Kristy O’Sako and her husband Laz, with grandsons Seth Moye and Xander O’Sako, and granddaughter Alanna O’Sako. Liz’s two children and their families include Renee Dudley and her partner Scott Garrett, with grandson Austin Dudley, and Brooke Quattlebaum and her husband Troy Sphar, with grandson Buddy Dorsey and granddaughter Ashley Ganas and her husband Jacob, with great-granddaughter Natalie. He was preceded in death by his father, William H. Lee, Sr. and mother, Miriam V. Boykin Lee.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May, 31, 2023 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Baker McCullough Funeral Home, Hodgson Memorial Chapel (7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive Savannah, GA 31406).

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens (315 Greenwich Road Savannah, GA 31404).

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Hospice Savannah Foundation (912-629-1027) or https://www.hospicesavannah.org/give-2/donations/ .