ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, August 6, 1996 TAG: 9608060087
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: NEWS OBIT
SOURCE: JON CAWLEY STAFF WRITER
A Roanoke businessman died Sunday in a one-car accident in Campbell County, two weeks after serving as best man in his son's wedding.
William Watkins Lee Sr. was traveling east on U.S. 460, three-quarters of a mile east of the Concord Turnpike in Lynchburg, when he lost control of his vehicle about 12:20 p.m., state Trooper J.B. Murray said.
Lee, 57, drifted off the right shoulder and overcorrected as he came back onto the road, Murray said. The car skidded sideways off the right shoulder and overturned, killing Lee. He was not wearing a seat belt.
The trooper's investigation confirmed witness accounts that Lee was not traveling at an excessive speed.
Lee was the owner of Lee Pools of Roanoke, a custom swimming pool construction business he started in 1969 as a means for summer employment, said Elizabeth Lee, his wife, who is principal of Patrick Henry High School.
He was a band director at Madison and Monroe junior high schools until the early 1970s.
"He was one of the oldest pool builders in Roanoke," she said. "He got a joy out of creating something on a person's property that would bring them pleasure."
Although pools were his business, Lee placed a strong emphasis on his family and their continuing education. He helped his wife and daughter achieve doctoral degrees. His son worked with him at Lee Pools and probably will take over the business, Elizabeth Lee said.
"He gave his life to supporting people," she said. "He was always behind me and the children in our successes."
Lee was returning from his 500-acre farm in Cumberland and Buckingham counties when the accident occurred.
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