Bill, Donna, Sharon, and "Billy" lived across the street from us on Euclid street in Wichita. My family, "the Blubaugh's", shared many events together with the "Lee's".  Cub scouts, back yard cook outs, shared recipes, etc.   A highlight for us was to visit Bills gas station and get the entire "service" experience back then.  Bill would give away dinosaurs and other toys but most of all taking great pride in his work.  As young as I was back then it obviously made an impression on me.  

Many many years later after our families had moved apart and away, my mother suffered an appendicitis attack requiring surgery while vacationing at a site near Where Donna and Bill lived.  Mom's travel partner needed help with dealing with the situation so mom called Bill and Donna who came to her rescue.  They gathered her things for her from the hotel and brought everything to the hospital.  What loyal a true friendship!  Thank you from me for helping my mom and her friend at such a time of need.  I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing.  He was a one of a kind neighbor and loyal friend to my parents.  Gayla Blubaugh Odle

The many years spent in Texas. Was always glad to see Bill and Donna. His smile and gentle nature. Our memories will forever cherish his and Donna's friendship.

This is contributed by June Lee Dwyer. Little sister of Billy Jr. 
           

           We stayed overnight with Bill and Donna on Euclid Street in Wichita when our son Bart was almost 2 and Rhonda, our 3rd child was on her way.
Bart was laughing and playing with a balloon when it popped. Bart was devastated. Bill had him hand over the balloon and blew it back up to make Bart happy, talking to him calmly all the while. When Bart brought him the next popped balloon, the magic was gone. Bill had ran out of new balloons. 

                                            With love, June Lee Dwyer
 

          These 5 siblings had a hard childhood as you learned reading Aunt Donna's story of the loss of their mother at a young age. Because of that, they have always been close.They attended every family reunion that they were able to and always got along with each other. It is admirable to see that. Now we have Dad (Bud Lee) and Aunt June Dwyer left. So sad saying good bye to family you have looked up to and respected your entire life. I am glad our son Justin was able to spend so much time fishing with Uncle Bill and learn his calm and easy going manner. He was very much admired and respected. He even took Justin up in his plane when we visited them at Hollister and turned the controls over with supervision. What a blessing he has been to his family and ours. The way he always scans the room, looking for the love of his life, Aunt Donna, is priceless. Then they hold hands when they are close. So much to admire.
            HIs daughter Sharon is the model of what a daughter should be, supportive, loving and caring right up until the end. Bill's love for his granddaughter's and new great granddaughter is so easy to see and so precious. I keep changing from is and was tense. This is going to be difficult to put this chapter as a past tense. 

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth       And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;       Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth       Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things       You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung       High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,       I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung       My eager craft through footless halls of air… .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue       I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace       Where never lark, or ever eagle flew — And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod       The high untrespassed sanctity of space,       Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

— John Gillespie Magee, Jr