Bill Lee was born and raised on a small family farm that was homesteaded by his paternal grandparents in Bonifay, Florida in 1912 and which remains in the family today. He was married to his wife Frances M. Lee for 45 years before her passing away in June 2018 after a lengthy illness. He is the father of 3 beautiful daughters also the proud Pa (grandparent) of 7 beautiful grand daughters and 2 “all boy” grand sons. He worked for over 42 years in public education in the state of Florida as a teacher, coach, long-time high school principal and district level administrator until his retirement in December 2018.
The stories and memories shared in his book, “Dirt Roads Leave Ruts in Your Soul” and in this blog will take the readers on a trip back to a simpler time and place in the country long before computers, the internet, cellular telephones and cable television. In fact, some of these stories will come from a time before the Lee family even had a telephone and if a person wanted to talk to someone other than the people at their home, they had to make a personal visit to that other person.
Memories will also be shared about pure country activities like swimming in local creeks and ponds, participating in farm chores such as picking cotton (by hand), feeding livestock, and helping to harvest crops. Along with the memories the author will let you feel the fresh air, smell the freshly tilled soil, taste the home grown watermelons, and listen the bob while quails sing again, if you were fortunate enough to have experienced these in your own past.
He will share some of the best of days that life brings to people – tales of great times with family and friends, the simple joys of a picnic by a creek in the summer or catching fireflies in the early evening. He will also share some of the trials of life like witnessing the aging of parents and grandparents, unexpected changes brought on by sickness or other life events, and sadly, even the deaths of loved ones.
Come along for the trip down the country roads of life! Hope you enjoy the stories and memories shared. As an interactive blog, if these writings cause you to recall similar times from your own life, please feel free to share with the author and the other readers of the blog.
In his second book, “School Lessons Beyond the 3 R’s” he will share many stories and memories from his time in the education profession including stories from his own years as a student, the times in his career as a teacher and coach and many recollections from his 22 years as a principal and 12 years as a district staff administrator. These stories will bring back memories for everyone who ever attended school and especially for those who may have worked in public education.
For those who may read the blog and desire to have a copy of the book “Dirt Roads Leave Ruts in Your Soul” or “School Lessons Beyond the 3 R’s”, they are available on Amazon under the name of the author and title as shown.
Bill Lee 