Wayne Lee

Wayne Elmend Lee 1926 - 2011 Wayne E. Lee was born in Panama City, Florida on June 22, 1926 to Wayne and Aimee Peacock Lee. He grew up in Panama City and attended Bay County High School. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the Army and proudly served in Europe in WWII. After his duty to his Country he returned to Florida and attended the University of Florida graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering and Land Surveying. He met his bride, Lois Ann (Marty) Lee in Ocala, Florida where she was finishing her degree in Nursing. They soon married and had two children, William Victor (Bill) Lee and Merrie Jeannette Lee. They moved from Panama City to Pensacola and shortly thereafter moved to Gulf Breeze in 1954. He began his career with the Florida Department of Transportation as Resident Engineer in the Pensacola District. He oversaw many projects in Northwest Florida including, construction of the Hathaway Bridge, Back beach Road, and Phillips Inlet Bridge in Panama City. He continued with the DOT to construct the Escambia River Bridge, Creighton Road and the Cervantes Street Bridge over bayou Texar in Escambia County and was also in charge of construction of Shoreline Drive and South Sunset in Gulf Breeze. The second phase of his career was with Noonan Construction Company of Pensacola. While there some of his major jobs included City of Pensacola drainage projects, Main Street Waste Water Treatment Plant, Force Main and the Bay Outfall. Other projects included the concrete paving of Interstate I-10 in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Noon Construction Company also built FHA water systems for Farm Hill, Gonzalez, Central Water System, Bratt-Davisville, the Town of Jay, and Moore Creek-Mt. Carmel. During this time, Wayne and Marty were founders and active members of the Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church. He also served on the first City Council in Gulf Breeze. Wayne was very active in the Gilmore Bayou Association and the maintenance of Dead Man's Island. His children have many happy memories of growing up in Gulf Breeze at a time when the city had a small population and everyone knew each other. This was when Highway 98 was a two lane road to draw bridge crossing Pensacola Bay. Many weekends were spent with friends on Dead Man's Island and aboard their sailboat the "Naughty Lee". His other sailing adventures included several trips aboard "Buster" in the Regatta Del Sol to Mexico. In 1963 he started and underground utility construction company, Utility Service Company in Gulf Breeze. Many of the original employees are still with USCO and are greatly appreciated for all their dedication and service. Wayne was preceded in death by his mother Aimee Lee, by his loving wife Marty, and his sister Ruth Lee. He is survived by his brothers Bill Lee (Margaret), Jim Lee (Barbara), and sisters Aimee Jo (Karl) Nelson and Anne Cary (Don) Herner. He is also survived by his son Willliam "Bill" Victor (Jill) Lee, his daughter Merrie Jeanette Lee; his grandchildren Bart (Natalie) Rupert, Nick Rupert, Jordan Lee, and Randy Lee. He also leaves behind his four legged companion "Missy". A Memorial Service will be held at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 10:00 M. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dead Man's Island Project in care of the City of Gulf Breeze, the Gulf Breeze Dog Park, Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.