William David Lee Sr.'s Obituary
William David Lee Sr. July 2, 1938-July 15, 2024
William David Lee Sr, 86, (aka Papa) transitioned to Heaven to be with our Lord on July 15, 2024. He was born in Jackson, Alabama on July 2, 1938 to William Thomas Lee and Mary Elizabeth Lee. In 1959, he completed a Bible degree from Southeastern Bible College then in 1961 he completed a BA from Florida Southern College both located in Lakeland, Florida. In 1976 he completed a Masters Degree from The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. In 1959, he married Jimmie Ruth Moseley also from Jackson, Alabama. Together the young couple set out on their journey to share the message of Jesus with people around the world. Their ministry began in 1962 when he became pastor of Bethel Assembly of God in Winter Haven, Florida. In 1968 Bethel merged with another church to form Calvary Assembly of God. In 1970 he was elected and served as youth director (D-CAP) for the Peninsular Florida Assemblies of God. He served as D-CAP until 1976. While serving as D-CAP, he led numerous mission trips to the Caribbean, to South America, and to Europe. Then, in 1976 he received a call from our Lord to become a full-time missionary and moved his family to San Jose, Costa Rica to attend language school. Then, in 1977, the family moved to Medellin, Colombia to share Jesus in this nation. In 1980, the Assemblies of God Division of Foreign Missions asked him to work with Spanish Television and Radio (STAR) ministries where they created television and radio programs in Spanish that were distributed throughout the Spanish speaking world. In 1982 the Assemblies of God asked him to create and lead International Media Ministries (IMM) which he created and established in Lakeland, Florida. Then, in 1985 he relocated IMM to Brussels, Belgium where he remained Executive Director until 1999. In early 1999, the Assemblies of God headquarters asked him to move to Springfield and head their communication department. Then in 2001 the Assemblies of God Division of Foreign Missions elected him to serve as a member of the executive committee. He served on the executive committee until the fall of 2012 when he retired and moved, with his wife Jimmie Ruth, to Lakeland, Florida.
David was passionate about serving our Lord. In his life time he traveled to five continents and to more than 100 countries where he served leaders in these nations by creating audio, video, radio, and print materials in their languages that multiplied their efforts to share the Christian message. Millions of people around the world have heard the gospel through these programs. Many of these programs are still being broadcast today.
David was a servant leader who led by example. He genuinely loved people and was a kind, caring, gentle man. He could land at nearly any airport in the world and a delegation of people, that he had loved and served, would be there greet him. After his love and passion for serving Jesus, the second most important people he loved and served was his family. He loved his family deeply. And his family loves him deeply. We miss him so much. He leaves a big hole in our hearts, however, we are filled with countless wonderful memories of him loving us and us loving him.
David Lee is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jimmie Ruth Lee, and his three children: William David Lee, Jr, PhD (1960); Cynthia Ann Lee/Murphy (1962), Major U.S. Army, Nurse Practitioner (Married to Bob Murphy); and Steven James Lee (1970), BA (married to Michelle Matheny). He is also survived by grandsons: Luke Wilkinson; Chase Lee (Cassie); Hunter Lee (Kelsey); Colby Lee and grand daughter Aimee Hetzel. Great Grandsons: Jasper Wilkinson; Wilder Wilkinson; Owen Hetzel; Kayson Lee; Waylon Lee; Andrew Lee and great granddaughter, Lily Hetzel.
He is predeceased by his father, Thomas Lee, his mother, Mary Lee, his sisters, Marjorine Slocumb and Aileen Johnson, and his brothers Frank Lee, DP Lee, and Cecil Lee.
His Celebration of Life Service will be held July 19, 2024 at Victory Church, 1401 Griffin Road, Lakeland, Florida. The public viewing will begin at 10am followed by the celebration service at 11am.
A second Celebration of Life will be held July 23, 2024 at Jackson Assembly of God in Jackson, Alabama.
Serving as pallbearers are Luke Wilkinson, Chase Lee, Hunter Lee, Colby Lee, Jimmy Wilder, Carlos Diaz, Kent Harrell and Billy Register. Honorary pallbearers Jimmy Johnson, TL Johnson, Joel Johnson, Michael Johnson, Johnny Johnson, Sam Johnson, Paul Hale, Scott Schultz, Richard Dunn III, Laine Bloemeke, Jim Cox and Tommy Dunn.
His greatest desire was that all of his family, friends, and the countless of people he ministered too, would spend eternity with him in Heaven. Let us all honor his desire. We Love you Papa.
In Lieu of flowers, David Lee and his family would ask you to please make donations to International Media Ministries Account # 516813, c/o Asssemblies of God World Missions, 1445 Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO 65802.
To give online, copy this link into your browser: https://giving.ag.org/donate/600001-516813
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