Mr.Winford Essic Lee, Sr. (76) departed this life on Monday, August 27, 2018, in Lillington, North Carolina after a brief illness.

Winford E. Lee, Sr was born to the late Robert and Neola Lee on August 26, 1942 in Bessemer, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his sister Katherine A. Hampton of Brooklyn, New York who left behind a husband, Willie Hampton and son, Tyrone Hampton of Brooklyn, New York.

Winford and Joann Ruth Davis married on October 31, 1965 in Dillon, South Carolina. Winford Lee Sr. entered the United States Army in September 1962, where he received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

After being medically discharged from the army, he joined the Cumberland County Sheriff Department where he served with dignity, pride and respect. While working for the Sheriff Department, Winford received a Bachelor’s Degree from Fayetteville State University and was a proud Bronco Alumnus. After serving the Sheriff Department, he realized that his heart was with his hometown of Spring Lake, North Carolina so he joined the Spring Lake Police Department where he served his town with honor, diligence and love. Before retiring, he finished out his career working for The Department of Army as a Planner Estimator on Fort Bragg.

While serving his country, his county and his community, he also served his family by being a loving husband, devoted father, and proud grandfather who loved his kids. Winford Lee Sr. leaves behind a spirit of love and devoted service that was nurtured by his mother, his family and members of William Chapel Church.

Winford E. Lee, Sr., is survived by his wife, Joann Lee, brother, Eddie D. Lee (Angela) of West Virginia, niece, Michelle Lee of West Virginia, his children: Jacqueline (Terry) Jackson, Patricia Lee, Robert (Tonya) Lee, Winford (Brandi) E. Lee, Jr., Marvin Lee and Martin Lee, twenty-two grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.