William ‘Bill’ Arthur Lee

William “Bill” Arthur Lee, 87, passed away on Thursday, Nov 24, 2022, at his home in rural Clearwater. Bill was born Aug. 12, 1935, to Arthur and Rose (Harshman) Lee, at his family home in rural Clearwater. Bill would tell the story that, while on lunch break with a thrashing crew at his grandparents’ nearby farm, his dad blew the tractor’s steam-engine whistle to let the neighborhood know of his birth. Bill attended Sheldon country school through grade 8, and graduated from Annandale High School in 1953. He operated his home farm from 1951, while in high school, until 1966. After high school, he also worked at Simonson’s gas station in St. Cloud until 1956, then began his career with Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. Starting as a lineman, climbing poles across Minnesota, he advanced to supervisory positions in St. Cloud, Elk River, Princeton, Coon Rapids and Minneapolis, retiring in 1986. Through the years, Bill served in numerous local, district and conference positions within the Minnesota United Methodist Church. Among these, he was chair and co-founder of the Northwest District Mission Society; served on conference boards of missions, pensions, global ministries, youth camping and nominations. He was active in the development of Star Lake Wilderness Camp and often did volunteer work there. Following in the footsteps of his dad, he served many years on his local (Mount Hope) cemetery board, including 47 years as secretary-treasurer. In retirement, Bill participated in many work projects, starting as a leader of high-school youth on two Appalachian Service Projects. Work projects (mostly building and repairs) included local churches and the Northwest District Mission Society in Minnesota. He and Virginia also did work projects with World Gospel Mission in south Texas and Mexico; and with the United Methodist NOMADS (Nomads on a Mission Active in Divine Service) across the south, in Minnesota and Alaska. Bill is survived by his wife of 65 years, Virginia; daughters Cathy Lee Gierke, Ruth Helget and Rebecca (Dennis) Mix; sister Loretta Juhl, four granddaughters, Laura (Jeremy) Neu, Alisha (Brent) Schubbe, Rebekah (Alex) Kanable and Celia Mix; four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Rose Lee, and his sister Dorothy Hill. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 6, at Community United Methodist Church in Monticello. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial of ashes will be scheduled in the spring at Mount Hope Cemetery, Clearwater.