On Saturday, April 13, 2019, William Francis Lee (“Bill”) beloved husband and father of four children, passed away peacefully in the presence of family at the age of 77 after a courageous and fearless battle with Cancer.
A Denver native, Bill graduated from Cathedral High School in 1959. He excelled in the classroom and on the football field. In his senior year, he made the All-State Parochial Football Team and was Cathedral’s Head Boy. He was also selected to participate in Boys State by District Court Judge Joseph E. Cook and was nominated by his state senator for admission to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
Bill attended college at the nearby University of Denver, playing football. He was a wide receiver on offense and a cornerback on defense. When the school dropped its football program, he attended and played for Colorado State College, where he received a degree in teaching. On Valentine’s Day, 1962, he married Susan Spencer. They raised three sons, Greg, Chris and Brian and a daughter, Aimee.
When he was 8 years old, he would help his Grandfather, who was the night watchman at Mile High Kennel Club, with after-hour duties like turning off the lights and locking the gates. At age 12, he began working at the track during the Summer. Greyhound racing, being a summer activity, complemented his teaching job. Bill taught social studies and physical education at a junior high school in Denver for 10 years before going completely “to the dogs” in 1972. He rose through the ranks to become VP and General Manager of Mile High Kennel Club, a.k.a. The Big Store, and later expanded his role to include other Colorado tracks. Bill was considered a trailblazer in the industry and was inducted into the Greyhound Racing Hall of Fame in Abilene, KS on October 17, 2013. He served on numerous boards including the AGTOA (American Greyhound Track Operators’ Association), American Greyhound Council, and the Greyhound Racing Hall of Fame among others.
Bill had enormous passion for his family, friends, work and he lived every day to the absolute fullest. He had an infectious smile, was quick with a joke and had a rare and incredible ability to connect with people - from all walks of life. Admired and respected by so many, he touched and impacted countless people during the course of his life. He truly was an extraordinary and amazing man - an incredible Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, Friend, Teacher, Coach, Hall of Famer, Master Joke Teller and Practical Joker.
Deeply loved by so many, he will forever live in our hearts.
Bill was preceded in death by his father, William, his mother, Lucille and his sister, Patricia. He is survived by his wife Susan; his four children, Greg (Maria), Chris (Lori), Aimee (Paul) and Brian (Lyn-Partner); eight grandchildren, Spencer, Colin, Denisse, Ethan, Alex, Grace, Luke and Charlotte, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Memorial donations in the name of Bill may be mailed to: Greyhound Racing Hall of Fame, 407 S. Buckeye, Abilene, KS 67410. You may also call 785-263-3000 to make a donation by phone.
A Celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Friday, May 17 at 11:00a at Park Hill United Methodist Church - 5209 Montview Blvd, Denver, CO 80207. Following the Memorial Service, the Celebration of Bill's life will continue at Quebec Place Event Center located at 430 S. Quebec St. Suite 2, Denver, CO 80247.
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