101-year-old former McLeansboro resident, Virgil J. “Bill” Lee of Mt. Vernon, Ill. died at 3:17 a.m. Saturday, February 4 at SSM Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, Ill. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WW II, serving from February 23, 1942 through January 22, 1946 serving as Master Sergeant in the European and Pacific Campaigns. He received two bronze battle stars in the European Campaign. He also served from October, 18, 1950 through July 23, 1951 during the Korean War, receiving a BR Star.
He spent his later youth years living in rural Hamilton County and graduated from Macedonia High School in 1934.
He worked at the Elders Garment Factory in McLeansboro and later was employed at the McLeansboro Post Office for 29 years until his retirement as Superintendent on Dec. 31, 1976. Mr. Lee also served in the U.S. Civilian Conservation Corps from October 10, 1936 through December 23, 1938 with assignments in Decatur, Ill. and Petersburg, Ill; Camp McCoy Wisconsin and Dubois, Idaho. He was also very active in fast pitch softball, basketball and later slow pitch softball.
Survivors include daughters, Marcia Lewis of Eldorado Springs, Mo. and Trisha Barczewski and husband Mark of Mt. Vernon, Ill.; sons, Mark and wife Nancy Lee of Collinsville, Ill., Gary and wife Marvina Lee of Belleville, Ill. and Greg and wife Lisa Lee of Clinton, Mo.; a sister, Edna Gordon of Crown Point, Ind.; a brother-in-law, Joe Mayberry of McLeansboro; a sister-in-law, Phyllis Mayberry of Mt. Vernon, Ill.; grandchildren, Frank Lewis of Eldorado Springs and Kevin Lewis of Torrington, CT, Michelle and Michael Lee of Collinsville, Ill., Derek and Nicole Lee of Clinton, Mo. and Danielle and Carter Barczewski of Mt. Vernon, Ill. and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Virgil J. “Bill” Lee will be 10 a.m. Thursday, February 9 at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro with burial in St. Clements Catholic Cemetery at McLeansboro.
Visitation will be from 6 – 8 Wednesday evening, Feb. 8 at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro.
Memorials may be made to the St. Clements Cemetery Fund and will be accepted at the Harre Funeral Home in McLeansboro.