This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath Surnames: Lee Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/4693/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Billie Dan Lee, known as Bill to most, son of Harry C. Lee and Lucille O'Dell Lee, born June 06, 1932 in Portales, NM, passed peacefully in his Las Cruces home on Thursday, August 26, 2010 after a valiant fight against cancer. He was 78 years old. Coincidentally, Thursday happened to be World Cancer Day. He is survived by his son Jeff, of Midland, TX, his sister Wanda Welch and her children of Arizona, several cousins and many devoted and loving friends in Oklahoma and Las Cruces. He leaves behind his 'route running' dog, Sam. In his final years he was lovingly cared for by his wife, Connie. Bill graduated from high school in Hobbs, NM in 1950. Bill proudly served in the US Air Force from 1951 to 1954 being stationed at Lakenheath AFB in England and at Walker AFB in Roswell, NM. He then received his Bachelor's and Master degrees at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, NM and in 1974 was awarded his doctorate in curriculum and Instruction from East Texas State University (now University of Texas Commerce). He taught Junior High in Clovis and Hobbs, NM from 1961-1969, then was selected to be assistant principal at Houston Junior High in Hobbs. From 1969 until 1984 Bill served in several administrative positions including Federal Programs Director, business Manager of Hobbs School and Principal at Heizer Junior High. In 1984 Bill was chosen to Assistant Superintendent of the Portales Municipal Schools. He served there for four years then retired from NM public schools with thirty two years of service. He then ventured to the University of Oklahoma to be the financial and business manager for federal program based there for "Drug Free Schools and Communities". He served in that capacity for five years. He then was discovered and recruited by the vocational technical school Mid-Del, based in Midwest City, OK. His primary assignment was to write and deliver curriculum as to the use and maintenance of electric vehicles such as those used by the airline industry. He then branched out! in to the area of safety instruction where he collaborated with the OK State Dept. of ED. To develop curriculum and programs that teaches and encourages safety culture in the workplace. This was to facilitate a reduction in on the job injuries and those businesses who adopted these guidelines experienced significantly lower workman's compensation claims. Bill LOVED to fish with his favorite catch being largemouth bass. He and his fishing buddies enjoyed many memorable adventures fishing lakes including Novio in Mexico, several in Texas and Oklahoma and the small ponds found in rural Oklahoma. He owned some type of bass boat during his adult life until he moved to Las Cruces. After moving to Las Cruces in 2007, he remained a loyal OU Sooner fan watching every football, basketball (both men and women's) and any other athletic OU event nationally televised. He did become an Aggie fan, attending girl's volleyball, girls and boys basketball and football games. He enjoyed the many concerts played by Mesilla Valley Concert Band and rarely missed a performance. He loved to putter in the yard, having raised beds built where he grew delicious tomatoes that were generously shared with friends. Bill was an accomplished cook and enjoyed sharing his creations with friends. Bill's gifts of knowledge and kindness shaped many students' lives. He was a highly respected professional serving as mentor to those with whom he worked and as an example to all. He was gifted with a most clever sense humor and ability to delight with his poems which he composed for birthdays and special occasions. He always had a genuine, gentle, kind and calm way about him not losing his sense of mirth and love to life after his diagnosis and many surgeries for the cancer that plagued him the last portion of his life. As per his request, Bill has been cremated. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. in Hobbs, NM on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 at First Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, Bill would appreciate donations to the Graham Family Music Scholarship at NMSU Foundation, Las Cruces, NM, to Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 W. Montana, Las Cruces, NM, or to your local Hospice organization. Arrangements by Getz Funeral Home and Getz Family Crematory, corner of Solano and Bowman Ave., Las Cruces, NM 575-526-2419. To sign the local online guest book go to www.GetzCares. Published in Las Cruces Sun-News on August 29, 2010 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.