Wilford “Willie” Lee, 72, of Groves passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at Dubuis Hospital-Christus St. Mary in Port Arthur.

He was born on October 20, 1943 to Beatrice Breaux Lee and Herman Ellis Lee in Port Arthur, Texas. Willie has been a lifelong resident of the area. He worked as a butcher and grocerier at Spiers, Wiengartens, Pressarros and last was Willie’s Discount Grocery Store. He was an avid crawfish wholesaler.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Larry Lee.

Willie is survived by his loving wife, Gwen Cole Lee of Groves, his daughter, Raney Beasley and her husband, Ronnie of Groves, his son, Jeffery W. Lee and his wife, Crystal of Groves, two grandchildren, Morgan Beasley and Kinsey Brunelli.

He is also survived by his three sisters, Charlotte DeRouen and her husband, Jimmy of Groves, Martha Gathwright and her husband, Tom of Paris, Texas, Teresa Burnett and her husband, Brad of Port Neches, his sister-in-law, Peggy Lee of Port Arthur, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, October 14, 2016 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves. Service to honor Willie’s life will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, October 15, 2016 in the Thompson Memorial Chapel at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves. Burial will follow in Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches.