Wilson Lee
Mr. Wilson Lee, age 78, passed away on July 30, 2018, in Opelika, AL.
Wilson is survived by his wife, Dorothy Gaston Lee of Opelika; his son, Lance Wilson Lee of Montgomery, AL; his daughter, Charlotte Lee Bowman of Columbus, GA; his daughter, Margaret Lee Thomas of Buford, GA; his daughter, Virginia Lee King of Acworth, GA; and his son, Maj. David James Lee of Montgomery, AL; sixteen grandchildren; and two sisters, Myrtle Lee Kendrick and Emma Lorrine Young of Atmore, AL. He is preceded in death by his father, Verren Delvin Lee and his mother, Loney Walker Lee of Baldwin County, AL; and his five beloved siblings.
Wilson was born on August 24, 1939, in Pensacola, FL to parents Verrin Delvin Lee and Loney Walker Lee.
While in high school, he received the American farmer degree through his Vocational Ag classes. He was also runner up for Future Farmer of the year.
He graduated from Auburn University in 1964 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture Education. In 1966, he graduated from the University of Arizona with a Master’s in Economics.
In 1967, he returned to Auburn, AL and joined the faculty at Auburn University with a position with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, where he worked for more than thirty-three years. His accomplishments included introducing an Industrial Development Education program that continues to serve fifty-five Alabama counties. His work was recognized by two Alabama governors.
After 33 years, he was the top economic developer in the Cooperative Extension Service. He conducted numerous workshops and taught civic leaders all over the state the things they needed to do to draw new industry to their communities.
He retired in 1999, when he started his second, more favored, career of being a retiree.
Wilson was a great family man and a loving father. He married Dorothy Louesa Gaston in 1965 and the couple has five children together. The couple recently celebrated their fifty-third wedding anniversary.
Wilson was an active man who was involved in religious, civic and community organizations for the majority of his life. He enjoyed the great outdoors, traveling, developing the family property, and spending time with family and friends.
He was elected to serve as the president of the local chapter of the Sons of the American Reveloption and is a past president of chapter 270 of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He was also a co-founder of Agrimissions for The Mission Society of the United Methodist Church.
His funeral was held at 4 p.m. on August 5, 2018 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home Chapel in Opelika. Visitation was held from 5 – 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, 2018. Reverend Mark McCarty and Reverend Ricky Thomaston of Pine Grove Church officiated.
In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions can be made to the Pine Grove Building Fund, 7235 US Hwy 29 North, Opelika, AL 36804.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory directed.