Walter Thompson Lee, 82, of Winnie, died Thursday, February 19, 2015, at Emeritus at Kingwood. He was born on October 11, 1932, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Doris Gentry Lee and Morris D. Lee, and had been a longtime resident of the area.

Walter grew up in Memphis and was a 12 year man at Treadwell. He attended Mississippi State and Memphis State. Walter later finished his Bachelor’s at St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, Kansas, and graduated from the Army’s Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.

He was a United States Army veteran having served in Vietnam twice and retiring after twenty-five years of service to his country. Walter was awarded the Bronze Star. Walter opened a Sonic in Winnie in 1978, and operated it until 1980. He later became sales manager for several local car dealerships.

Walter is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Peggy Lee of Winnie; children, Lou Ann Rice and her husband, Bob, of New Caney; Walter T. Lee, Jr. and his wife, Leslie, of Denver, Colorado; Laurie Lee of Houston; and Jeffrey Lee and his wife, Jamie, of Sour Lake; grandchildren, Margaret Saunders and her husband, Loren, of Kansas City, Missouri; Connor Lee of Denver, Colorado; and Jayden Lee and Jaxton Lee, both of Sour Lake; great-grandchild, Charlie Saunders of Kansas City, Missouri; sister, Sandra Bishop; and brother, Glenn Lee and his wife, Jan, all of Memphis, Tennessee; and numerous other loving family members.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Doris and M. D. Lee; and brothers, Ernest Lee, Bill Lee, and Denton Lee, Jr.

A gathering of Mr. Lee’s family and friends will be from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Sunday, February 22, 2015, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer, Winnie. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 23, 2015, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie. Military Honors provided by the United States Army and Southeast Texas Veterans Service Group.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 700 North Street, Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or to Disabled American Veterans, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Springs, Kentucky 41076.