Bill Odell Lee

Bill Odell Lee, age 70, passed away on March 5, 2015 in St. George, Utah. He was born in Mesquite, NV on June 22, 1944 to Don and Lorena Ann Hardy Lee. On June 22, 1962 he married Jessie Abbott in the St. George LDS Temple. She preceded him in death on May 21, 2005.

Bill lived most of his life in Mesquite. He was the Student Body President of Virgin Valley High School, then he earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Utah University. He owned and operated the Mobil Gas Station, Hardy’s Deluxe Motel and the Chalet Café. He served on the first city council and as the second Mayor of Mesquite. He was proud of his service and proud of his city.

He and Jessie loved to travel. They organized and planned group trips back East for Church history sites, and to Hawaii. He loved to travel with his family and especially loved his yearly trips with his three sisters. Bill had a deep love and compassion for helping other people. He enjoyed teaching early morning seminary. He was avid in scouting, attending wood badge and jamborees. He served as the first LDS Bishop of both the Mesquite 2nd Ward and the Mesquite 3rd Ward, and in the Logandale Stake Presidency. Always missionary minded, he opened his home to other children and the LDS missionaries. He was always helping his grandchildren, widows, and anyone in need. It was once said of him, "There wasn’t a widow safe from his care!" He will be missed.

Survivors include one daughter and two sons: Keri (Todd) Leavitt; Charlie (Sandra); Sam (Shaunna); 14 grandchildren; six great grandchildren; three sisters: Vicki (Douglas) Waite; Abbe Green and Mindy (Jerry) Martinsen all of Mesquite. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Lorene and one grandson, Jared.

Funeral services will be Monday, March 9, 2015 at 3 p.m. at the Mesquite LDS Stake Center. Visitation will be Sunday, March 8, 2015 from 6 - 8 p.m. and again Monday afternoon from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m., all at the Mesquite Stake Center. Interment will follow in the Mesquite City Cemetery.