William “Bill” Lee – Speers

On Dec. 18, 2020, William “Bill” Lee lost his fierce battle with the evils of COVID-19 at the age of 75. By his side were the Medical ICU warriors at Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. His family held his hands until his Army of Angels came to take him home to heaven. Bill was a lifetime resident of his beloved Charleroi, living for the last 43 years on Davidson Drive in Speers. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Mary Lou Pascoe Lee; his children, Billy (Tara) Lee, Michele (Joe) Schwerha and Michael (Stacey) Lee; his Pascoe children, Lee, Shanon and Katie; seven beloved grandchildren, Alexa Schwerha, Savannah Lee, Joseph J. Schwerha V (JoJo), Willie Schwerha, Lilli Lee, Mikey Lee, Timmy Schwerha and Brailyn Mitchell; his brother, Tim (Carol) Lee; nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, many cousins, great friends and his Cabin Crew, Geoff and Davie. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Francis “Quinnie” Lee; his sister, Peggy Casey; and his in-laws, Warren and Ruthann Pascoe. He graduated from Charleroi High School in 1963, playing football, baseball and running track, and being named an all-conference quarterback in 1962. Bill graduated from “Harvard on the Mon,” California State College in 1967, where he was the starting quarterback all four years. He set a school record with 367 passing yards in 1965, which earned him PSAC Player of the Week honors. His football career continued as a referee for midget league and high school football. Bill was a professional salesman. He started his career in pharmaceutical sales. In 1980, he proudly joined his cousins Mike and Dave Lee at Lee Supply Co. as the environmental sales manager, fondly known as “Land Fill Bill.” He officially retired in 2013, but continued to be active with trade shows and mentoring. He proudly served his community and his church, St Andrew of the Apostle Parish (St Jerome’s.) He was a longtime lecture, grass cutter and happiness facilitator as a Meals On Wheels delivery man. As a faithful servant to his Lord, you could hear his booming voice from any pew in the church. He also held many positions in the local communities, including Mon Valley Progress Council, Charleroi Area Board of Education, Water Authority Board of Charleroi, and most notably the Mayor of Speers Borough for over 20 years. As chairman of the Charleroi Regional Police Department, he was very proud of the contributions he made to join the communities with the regional police force. As the president of the Mon Valley Ancient Order of Hibernians, he and his singing Hibernians sang their way through 40 years at the Pittsburgh St. Patrick Days parades, proudly receiving many awards for singing “Molly Malone.” Bill was a pillar in his community and was inducted into the Solid Waste of North America Hall of Fame in 2000, California University of Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2011, Mid Mon Valley Hall of Fame in 2013, the Shining Star Mon Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2013 and the Charleroi All Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunting, fishing, shooting, which he enjoyed at his cabin at Whipkey Dam with his grandchildren and beloved Cabin Crew. He loved college and NFL sports, especially Notre Dame and his Tom Brady. Bill never met a stranger. He was a great friend to every man, woman and child who crossed his path each day. He will always be remembered for his famous renditions of “God Bless America”! Our world was a better place to have had him in it. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, at SCHROCK-HOGAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES INC., 226 Fallowfield Ave., Charleroi. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020, at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish, Charleroi, Seventh Street and Washington Avenue, Charleroi. Friends and family are asked to go directly to the church. Due to COVID-19, masks and social distancing are required inside the church. MASKS MUST BE WORN AND PLEASE LIMIT YOUR VISIT TO FIVE MINUTES OR LESS. FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES OF GOV. WOLF, ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED AT A GIVEN TIME IN THE FUNERAL HOME. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Bill Lee to Cal U Football Scholarships. Checks can be made payable to the Foundation for Cal U and mailed to Foundation at P.O. Box 668, California, PA 15419. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.schrock-hogan.com. The great life of Bill Lee will be celebrated at a later date when our family, friends and community will be safe from the coronavirus. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.schrock-hogan.com