William H. Lee (Lansing)

Mr. William Henry Lee, age 75, made his transition to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 20, 2018 in Lansing, Michigan. He was born in McCormick County in Greenwood, South Carolina on July 26th, 1942. He was the eldest child of John Lewis and Elizabeth Lee. At the age of 5, his family moved from South Carolina to Evanston, Illinois. William gave his life to the Lord at the age of 13. He graduated from Evanston Township High School in Evanston Illinois, earned an Associate’s Degree from Wright Community College of Chicago, Illinois, a Bachelor’s of Science from George Williams College in Group Dynamics, a Masters in Counseling Psychology also from George Williams College, and also earned a teaching certificate from Northern Illinois University. He started Doctoral studies in Educational Administration with Northwestern University and Michigan State University.


While pursuing his education, he continued in his service for the Lord. He served as an usher, custodian, assistant Sunday School Secretary, Choir President, YPWW president. He became a Minister at the age of 22, and was ordained an Elder in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 25th 1968 at the age of 26. Elder Lee was honored to have his credentials signed by the founding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, Bishop C. H. Mason. He started working when he was tall enough to be considered working age. He held jobs as a grocery clerk, newspaper boy, dishwasher, hamburger cook, postal clerk, etc. His professional career began as a Youth Leader and Lifeguard at the Emerson YMCA (Evanston, IL), later he was hired as the first African American Counselor and Activities Director at Crane Jr. College, which is now Malcolm X College. He was also the first African American Assistant Dean of Students at George Williams College in Downers Grove, Illinois. He served as a Social Studies teacher, Dean of Students and Assistant Principal of Evanston Township High School. In a nationwide search he was chosen to be the first African American principal of East Lansing High School in East Lansing, Michigan; a predominately white community. In addition, to his many responsibilities, Elder Lee was an adjunct professor and advisor at Lansing Community College.


He honorably served the communities he lived in as the first African American President of Wright Community College student government, Chairman of the Chicago Student Association of Christians and Jews, President of Evanston Neighbors at Work, East Lansing City Planning Committees, board member of the Lansing Chapter of the American Red Cross, and a committee member of the Michigan Chapter of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for Deaf. He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. while he was a high school student, and was the Northshore Chairman of the Students for Non-violent Action (SNCC) among other roles.


Pastor Lee was proud of the evangelistic work he did in Texas, Arizona, New York, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Arkansas, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Michigan. In 1986 Elder Lee was appointed Pastor of Robinson Memorial COGIC by Bishop Roger L. Jones. Later, Bishop Marvin C. Pryor appointed him as the Superintendent of the Antioch District. In 2010, Bishop Samuel Duncan Jr. appointed him as Administrative Assistant in Michigan Southwest Third Jurisdiction. Pastor Lee was also appointed the Director of the National Sunday School Teachers Association by Bishop Jerry Macklin. Administrative Assistant, Superintendent, Pastor, Elder William H. Lee absolutely loved pastoring the people of Robinson Memorial COGIC. It didn’t matter what was going on, he always wanted to be in attendance. “Let it suffice that I love God, the church and my family. Very rarely have I missed a church service since I was saved. In fact, when I was first saved, I would stay at the church from 9:30 am until the end of night services, even when everyone had gone home to eat their dinner, I stayed at the church. I love church, because God has placed me as a watchman and steward of His house and a remnant of His people.” – William H. Lee


It is also important to note, that Pastor Lee loved his family, especially his wife, Maxie Lee. Her name was Maxie Lee Williams, when they first met. He often said, he knew that the Lord made her for him, because if you read her name backwards it reads “William Lee’s Maxie”.

Great times and good memories will be cherished by his loving and devoted wife, Maxie Lee; his children, Christopher (Jennifer) Lee, Pastor Ivan (Tina) Lee, and John Lee; eight grandchildren, Nichole Lee, Christopher Lee, Serena Lee-McDaniel, Samara Smith, Karissa Lee, Alexis Lee Brown, Jawan Lee, Ivanna Lee; twelve great-grandchildren, Jadyn Lee, Journey Lee, Jackson Lee, Jameson Lee, Sean McDaniel Jr, Alysia Lee, Cameron McDaniel, Alexander McDaniel, Ian Lee, Matthew Smith, King Smith, Mace Smith; two daughters-in-love, Lisa Lee, Amina Lee; one brother, Robert Pryor; two sisters, Barbara Hardy, Bertha Pryor; his Robinson Memorial Church family, and many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his grandson; Maxwell Lee; parents, brother; James Pryor; sister; Margaret Lee.