William F. Lee Jr.

Known affectionately as “Bill” to friends and family, William Frank Lee was born on March 22, 1944 to parents William and Elizabeth. He was brother to Phyllis, Jane, Evelyn, Norwood, Robert, James, Richard, Steven, and Marsha. From Manhattan to Brooklyn, New York City was Bill’s home, and El Barrio was a cherished fixture throughout his life.

During his youth, Bill proved himself to be a gifted and promising athlete, dominating baseball diamonds throughout his community and garnering the admiration of peers and talent scouts alike, culminating with opportunities to play in the minor leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Cleveland Indians, winter games in Puerto Rico, and even for a team in Canada. His love for the game was not only common ground shared with family and friends, it fueled altruistic outreach to community youth, encouraging them to pursue education, excellence, and success in all areas of life.

El Barrio witnessed not only Bill’s youthful antics and athletic prowess, but also the birth of a great love with Luz Miriam, who would go on to become his beloved wife and mother of his children, son William F. III. and daughter Jana Maria. Bill lived out his life as a hard-working and dedicated family man in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, crafting his skills in butchery and serving as Department Manager at D’Agostino’s, making him very much a well-regarded neighborhood staple.

As years passed, he proudly saw his children grow into adulthood, pursue their education and careers, and establish families of their own, making him an even prouder grandfather to granddaughter Milan Danielle and grandson Jeremy Marcellus. Forever extolling the joys of family, Bill relished opportunities to make memories with his loved ones through storytelling, mentoring, humor, sports, food, and music. Sharing a dance, a joke, a laugh, a story, a smile, a bit of advice were but a few of the many beautiful ways in which Bill loved.

While his passing is a great loss to all those near and dear, his memory will live on as a beloved husband, father, and father-in law to his wife Luz Miriam, children William and Jana, and son-in-law Leslie, a loving grandfather to grandchildren Milan and Jeremy, a cherished brother to Jane, James, Richard, and Marsha, an adored son-in law to mother-in-law Virginia, a dear brother-in-law to Ramon, Lourdes, and Rafael, an unforgettable uncle, esteemed relative, and godfather to various nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins, and extended family members, and of course a great friend and neighbor to all those of his community throughout New York City and beyond.

Bill, you are forever loved and in our hearts.

Rest in Peace.