Wallace Burton Lee

layout-grid-mode: line Husband, Father, Grandfather and Builder, A follower of Jesus Christlayout-grid-mode: line I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. layout-grid-mode: line Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,layout-grid-mode: line the righteous Judge, will award me on that day. layout-grid-mode: line 2 Timothy 4:7-8 8pt; layout-grid-mode: line layout-grid-mode: line Wallace Burton Lee was born in Fargo, North Dakota on July 30, 1923. He peacefully left his life on earth on November 9, 2010 at age 87 with his daughter Linda at his side. He left with a deep and calm confidence in eternal life with his Lord and Savior. His death came 68 years to the day after he enlisted in the US Army Air Force as a patriotic 19 year old determined to serve his country. His father Matt Lee (Mathias Peder Johannes Sivertsen Lisetter) emigrated from Norway to Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada in 1905 and later to North Dakota where he married Emma Angelshaug who was born of Norwegian parents in North Dakota. They later moved to Ballard, WA. layout-grid-mode: line His son Douglas and sisters Doris Moss and Arlene Lee preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife Wilma - the love of his life for over 63 years and his brothers Dale Lee and Vernon Lee. He also leaves behind his children Michael Lee and wife Ann, Linda Garcia and husband Manuel, and Stephen Lee and wife Sherri. He loved and treasured his children and many grandchildren and overflowed with pride in their accomplishments. layout-grid-mode: line He worked at Boeing in Seattle before enlisting in the US Army Air Force in 1942. He served during World War II as a Technical Sergeant working on B-17 bombers in England. His first flight in a B-17 over Europe occurred days after the war ended as allied planes dropped emergency food supplies over Holland. He returned to the US on a B-17 on June 20, 1945 and was soon courting his wife-to-be. layout-grid-mode: line He married Wilma Lenore Smith in 1947 and they established their first home in North Seattle. He followed his fathers trade as a carpenter and later formed a successful construction business. He was proud of his larger projects such as the Shoreline Savings headquarters in Lake City and several other banks in the Seattle and Edmonds area. His greatest joy was in leading volunteers in building churches in the Seattle area and mission hospitals in the Philippines with his son Stephen. He enjoyed leading construction of Judson Baptist Church and spoke of the unique features and construction techniques employed at Alderwood Community Church. He built and operated the Lazy Wheels Mobile Home Park in Bothell. layout-grid-mode: line He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and that devotion continued even as his health declined and he required hospitalization for the last several months. Through all these tough times he and Wilma regularly exchanged smiles, hugs, kisses and loving mutual encouragement at bedside with a devotion and sincerity that brought tears to others present. Children and grandchildren visited often and he knew and acknowledged their love and care. Through his faith he was ready to leave, through his love and strength he held on through several medical setbacks to comfort those he has now left behind. layout-grid-mode: line He quietly worked behind the scenes to help people through churches and mission activities. Shortly after the death of his son Doug in 1971 he joined the board of the International Chaplains Ministry which now ministers to grieving survivors around the world. He and Wilma earned counseling certificates from Liberty University and led their church AWANA group. They quietly supported many organizations that spread the gospel and brought relief to those in need. They traveled around the country several times with their RV and also visited Norway twice as well as other parts of Europe including an 8th Air Force reunion in England. Until recent years they spent winters in Indio, California. layout-grid-mode: line His deep wish was for all to receive Jesus as their savior. He prayed often that all his children through all generations would accept this greatest gift of God - eternal life - and someday join him in Heaven. layout-grid-mode: line With hope they will accept that gift, he leaves behind many grandchildren: Peter Lee, Margaret Bily, Dianne Denton, Xochitl Garcia, Bethany Adams, Celia Lee, Catherine Lee, Joshua Reeves, Victoria Garcia, David Garcia, Tasha Lee, Brittany Lee, Carlos Garcia, Kayla Lee, Aimee Garcia and great-grandchildren: Clint Denton, Dallas Denton, Ambrossia Lewis, Tessa Denton, Jett Denton, and Josiah Adams. Announcement: layout-grid-mode: line AR-SA Donations or memorials may be directed to International Chaplains Ministry/Support 7, (P O Box 476, Edmonds, WA 98020), Alderwood Community Church, In Touch Ministries or his favorite place to visit with grandchildren: Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle.