William D. “Bill” Lee passed into the loving arms of Jesus on November 4, 2025 at the age of 79. Bill was born September 18, 1946 in Richmond, Indiana to Grace Newman Lee and William Lee. His beloved Uncle Bill and Aunt Mabel helped his mother Grace raise him well.
Bill graduated from Richmond Senior High in 1964. Following graduation, he became employed as a tool and die maker at National Automated Tool Company (NATCO) in Richmond. In 1966 Bill enlisted in the Navy and served his country well for four years. His duty stations included Jacksonville, Florida and San Diego, California. During his two tours in Vietnam aboard the USS Bennington and the USS Kitty Hawk, Bill was an aircraft mechanic servicing jet ejection seats, which he spoke about with great pride. Following his service in the military, Bill returned to work at NATCO in Richmond.
On April 18, 1981, Bill married Cherie Wells Lee. They moved to Jacksonville where they opened PIP Printing in 1982. After 25 years in the printing business, Bill went to work part time for Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church as Facilities Manager and Security. He retired in 2023.
Bill was a man of many passions, and he excelled at everything he put his mind to. He loved photography and horseback riding. When he was younger, he combined the two passions, and one of his photographs was chosen for the cover of a national equestrian magazine. He was also an avid tennis player, golfer and lover of hot rods. That passion for hot rods included building and showing a 1923 Ford T-bucket roadster. Most of all, Bill’s greatest passion was for skydiving. He made over 2200 jumps. Wearing a camera on his helmet, Bill photographed and videoed his fellow skydivers as they jumped together.
In later years, Bill worked and volunteered with the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, proudly serving as a “COP”, Citizen on Patrol, as well as a “CSO”, Community Service Officer
Bill was a devoted animal lover. Bill and Cherie cherished several pets over the years, both dogs and cats, that were blessed to be their “children”, but he loved animals of any kind.
A loyal member of Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church, Bill also belonged to The American Legion, Post 233 and The VFW Post 3270.
Bill is survived by his faithful wife, Cherie Wells Lee; cousin, Tom Hampton (Carol); nephew, David Jackson; two nieces, Desiree (Mike) Slater and Michelle (Randy) Strain; as well as several great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father and mother, William and Grace Lee; his beloved Uncle Bill and Aunt Mabel Sauer; his Aunt Mary (Charlie) Hampton; and Uncle Roy (Marie) Newman.
A Celebration of Life for Bill will be held on November 22 at 10:30 AM at Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church, 4510 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. In lieu of flowers, please remember Bill through gifts to Ponte Vedra Presbyterian Church, The American Legion Post 233, 560 North Wilderness Trail, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 or the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
