William Lee Asay

William Lee Asay

March 28, 1923 – April 18, 2023

William Lee Asay was born March 28, 1923 over 100 years ago to Amos Asay and Cloie Burgess. He was the 7th of 9 children. He has seven deceased siblings: Perry, Oren, Larilla, Dixie, Vern, Emerald, and Dory. His youngest sister Ramona, lives in Payson Utah. She called him every single day to tell him that she loved him.

He passed away shortly after celebrating his 100th birthday. He was lovingly cared for by Hope Hospice, his devoted daughter Connie Lee and his caring granddaughter, Tammy LeCheminant.

“Lee” as he was known by most, was drafted in the Army during WWII. He was very proud to have been able to serve his country. Just before leaving he married his sweetheart, Edith Kirk, a love story that lasted almost 82 years. After the war he and Edith vacationed with the Army’s 71st Division in different parts of the country. They also went on several ocean cruises and enjoyed stage plays in San Francisco and New York.

He was a “Jack of all trades” and could build or fix just about anything. Early in his career, he worked for Kraft Foods in San Francisco as a cheesemaker. When the company moved to Southern California, he and his brother Oren (Willie) decided to open a Flying A gas station. He was a great mechanic and developed a reputation as the “body and fender guy”. Later, he worked as a pipe fitter for Shell Oil Company, retiring after 20 years.

During his “retirement” Lee began farming on 10 acres of land in Vacaville. He became an accomplished gardener while growing wonderful fruits and vegetables for his family and friends. He loved his tractors, his faithful dogs and even his talking parrot, named Bandit.

Lee was an energetic man who participated in many activities (bowling, snow skiing, water skiing, boating, camping, golfing, and fishing). He frequently boated at Clear Lake where he and his brother Willie owned a cabin. He loved crafts and mastered aromatic candle-making. He enjoyed woodcarving and made beautiful horses, deer, toy trains, cars, trucks and doll cradles for his grandchildren. He enjoyed life and made the best of it.

Lee’s happiest moments were with his family. He had one daughter, Connie (Don) and became legal guardians to his nephew “Terry Miller”. He had six grandchildren Tammy LeCheminant (Mark), Loren Lee (Kristin), Darren Lee (Debbie), Lora Mather (Brady), Steve Lee (Jodi), Aaron Lee (Anne), 23 great grandchildren, and 20 great-great-grandchildren. He was generous with his time, money, and many talents.

Importantly, he was a spiritual man, a peacemaker with high moral standards and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We loved him. We will miss him.

Graveside Services will be held on Friday April 28, 2023, 11:00 am at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 2011 Arnold Industry, Concord CA.

Donations may be made in the name of William Lee Asay Hope Hospice and to the Missionary Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 

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