Obituary of William Richard Yee

Passed away peacefully at home in the arms of his daughters after a brave battle with prostate cancer. William is a First Generation Canadian born to hardworking immigrant parents Charles Wah Yee of Taishan, China and Pauline Yee Harrison (nee Boycun) of Galicia, Ukraine. Dearly loved father of Nadia Yee (Dane) and Paulinka Yee (Shawn). He is predeceased by Lise Lambert Yee, the love of his life, and his best friend and younger brother Dr. George Yee (Faye). He is survived by his sister Margaret Wong (late Horn) and his sister-in-law Faye Yee. Much loved by his grandsons, the next generation, Connor, Evan and Griffin. William leaves behind his dear companion Miki Closs. He will be missed by all his loving nieces and nephews, especially, Leslie (Kevin), Lauren, Charles, Jennifer (Albert), Lynda (André). Raised on rough Henry Avenue in Depression-era Winnipeg, William graduated with a Mechanical Engineering Degree from the University of Manitoba in 1957 and is a member of the Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec. His career began as a Design Engineer for DuPont Canada in Brockville and then Belgo Canadian Pulp and Paper Company in Shawinigan where he met his Bijoux de la Mauricie playing badminton. William continued his career as Maintenance Manager in Windsor working for General Chemical and finally at Medical Laboratories of Windsor as Vice President of Corporate Affairs alongside his brother and niece Jennifer where he worked until illness overtook him. Always community minded, he founded the Industrial Resource Centre Windsor-Essex to provide skills training for local workers in the region and founded the Great Lakes Institute for Research. He served on several boards including as Chair, Community Care Access Centre, The College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario and was the riding President of the PC Association of Windsor St-Clair. William was an accomplished football player and athlete earning a spot in the Football Manitoba Hall of Fame for the Winnipeg Rams, winners of the Canadian Intermediate Senior Championships in 1954. He was an avid outdoorsman that enjoyed exploring the lakes and wilderness of Quebec and had a love for downhill and cross-country skiing. He spent many hours at Beach Grove Golf and Country Club trying to master his passion for golf and a personal highlight was his victory as Senior Men’s Club Champion. Strong, intelligent and protective, William was a devoted father and husband that provided constant love and security to his family. He put his family above all else and his bravery and legacy will live on in our hearts and minds. Thanks to Windsor Regional Cancer Centre and Hospice for the excellent care he received. Donations in lieu of flowers to Prostate Cancer Canada. Visitation will be held at WINDSOR CHAPEL (Banwell Chapel) 11677 Tecumseh Rd. E. 519-253-7234 on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. <strong>Please call Windsor Chapel at 519-253-7234 between 8:30am to 4:30pm to secure a designated time slot</strong>. Interment will follow at St. Anne’s Cemetery. The Bereavement Authority of Ontario has instituted the following directive: “The new maximum number of people who can be at a funeral home at one time (not including staff) is 10 or fewer. This pertains to the entire funeral home.”