William S. Lee, of Marion, Ohio died December 12, 2015 at Marion General Hospital.
He was born August 1, 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late James W. Lee and Vera D. (Ryan) Lee, of Bratenahl Village, Ohio.
William was a graduate of the Shaw High School, of East Cleveland, Ohio, and the Cleveland State University, majoring in Political Science.
William’s chosen career path was public service; his passion was politics. He was recognized as extremely proficient in both areas of endeavor.
Bill had served in the Ohio National Guard, Troop N Air, a helicopter unit, in Akron, Ohio from 1966 until 1972. At the time of his Honorable Discharge he had achieved the rank of E-5.
He had been employed by the State of Ohio, working for the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, as well as the Ohio Department of Health. At the Marion Correctional Institution, he served as Personnel Officer; Warden’s Assistant; and American Correctional Association Accreditation Project Manager. William later served as Human Resources Administrator for the Ohio Department of Health, and then Ohio Department of Health’s Deputy Director for Employee Services. Most of his service in state government involved Human Resources Management, Labor Relations and Training.
After his retirement from the State of Ohio, he was active in various political campaigns.
He also engaged in what he termed a “grand adventure,” traveling to the Nation of Iraq, and serving as a “battlefield consultant” to that nation’s Department of Corrections. He would periodically joke about the number of times he was subjected to suicide bombing attempts, as well as rocket attacks. William often said that “adrenalin was his drug of choice” and clearly enjoyed this extraordinarily dangerous assignment. He always had a soft spot in his heart for the Iraqi people, their difficult and perilous struggle for democracy, and the plight of the Iraqi children.
William was known as a dynamic, motivated, and exuberant trainer, an endeavor at which he excelled, and enjoyed.
He was Chief Executive Officer of Central Ohio Police Training Associates, Inc., a for-profit training company. COPTA, Inc. provided cost-free training to local police departments, sheriff’s departments, and criminal justice agencies. One of his many witticisms involved the fact that although his company was “for-profit,” he never would accept any compensation for the services he and his partners provided.
He was a long-term Monadnock PR-24 Baton Trainer and Instructor Trainer, as well as a straight baton Instructor Trainer. He was proud that his students learned the latest and best self-defense techniques, which prevented their injury in the performance of their duties. Periodically, he would receive telephone calls from officers who benefited from his training skills. A Life Member of the National Rifle Association, he was certified to train a number of disciplines involved in self-defense.
William also was a well-respected and state-licensed pyrotechnologist. He performed only one fireworks show a year, in Bratenahl Village. His skills were passed down to him from his late father. One of his greatest pleasures was listening to the appreciation of the crowd, as he and his friends went about this spectacular and dangerous work. When his reflexes slowed, he gave up this hobby, as he did not want to be responsible for the injury of co-workers nor spectators.
William worked his way through college at the Charles F. Irish Company, Arborists, of Bratenahl Village. The skills he learned there allowed him to become a capable arboraculturalist; therefore, landscaping and tree surgery were also pastimes.
William was active in Republican Party activities on the state and local levels. He had served as President of the Marion County Republican Club. He provided consultation to, and managed a myriad of political campaigns. Although he eschewed sports, there were few political questions he could not readily answer, or at least offer an opinion.
He had no children so he “adopted” a number of persons to whom he served as a mentor. William closely followed their various careers and always sent a letter of congratulation upon their various promotions. He was very proud of the accomplishments of his friends, and loved his nieces and nephews. People who knew him would describe him as loyal to a fault, a “stand-up guy.”
There will be no memorial or burial services. Contributions can be made to the charity of one’s choice. Friends who want to show respect “will cut a nice check” to the Marion Fraternal Order of Police, Steve Young Memorial Lodge #24, 233 W. Center St., Marion, Oh 43302.
Gunder/Hall & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve William’s family. Condolences may be left at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com
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