William Lee

William E. Lee, 85, passed away peacefully early Friday, September 23, from an extended illness.  He was born Feb. 20, 1937 to Roy and Elizabeth (Ragland) Lee.    On Sept. 10, 1994, he married Lucille Austin, who survives.  Also surviving are his son DeWayne (Maja) Lee, of Mansfield; granddaughter August, of Columbus and special miracle grandson Zayne Lee; 6 great-grandchildren; his sister Nancy Williams; and numerous nieces, nephews including Tommy (Alethea) Botts; and several in-laws.  He was predeceased by his parents, grandparents, a sister Patty, daughter Veneta; granddaughter Taylor; a special niece Joy Botts; and niece Carla Jones.    The family would like to give special thanks to neighborhood friends Dave and Janey Sprouse, Myra Brown and Nedra Valentine; and to Dr. John Seidensticker and Emily of Adena Hospice.    Bill was a graduate of Southeastern High School and the Toledo Barber College.  He went on to have two careers: as a barber and a bailiff.  As "Barber Bill," he owned, operated or worked in just about every hair cutting establishment in the county.  The first shop he owned was Marshall's on Water St., before he closed the doors and went to work at a barber school in Columbus.  He found success at the school and became the manager.  While working at the school, he purchased Carlo's on Water St. in Chillicothe.  After the building fell in disrepair, a friend Sonny Fannon said he could use his shop on Mondays while continuing to work at the school.    With too much time on his hands, Bill put on another hat and became "Bailiff Bill."  For 11 years, he worked as a Municipal Court Bailiff and then retired, again.  Still, while he was a bailiff, he continued to hone his craft as Barber Bill.  He purchased a shop in 1994 on Mill St. formerly known as Eddie's.  He opened the shop in the evenings and on Saturdays, while also cutting hair at the Lighthouse in Bainbridge.  For more than 50 years, Bill cut hair in Chillicothe and just about everybody knows him.   Neighbors didn't have to ask him to bring them the newspaper-he would just fetch it.  Seniors on the block didn't have ask to him to shovel their snow-he'd just clear it.  In need of a light on your back porch?  Don't worry, he'd just install it.  Folks who missed church and needed a bulletin-he'd just bring it.  And if he thought a bouquet of flowers would cheer you up, he'd just send it.   His funeral service will be held at 1pm Wednesday, Sept. 28 at the Old Zion Church, located on the corner of Mill and Locust Streets, with Rev. Dr. J. Troy Gray and Rev. Jeremy Beverly officiating.  Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 11am until 1pm Wednesday at the church.    Memorial contributions may be made to one of the following: Alzheimer's Assoc., Nationwide Children's Hospital, or Adena Hospice.
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