William F. Lee, Jr.

The Honorable William Francis Lee, Jr., of Newnan, Georgia, died Friday, February 7, 2025. Judge Lee (Billy) was born February 13, 1943, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was the son of William Francis Lee and Martha Park Culpepper Lee. Billy graduated from Newnan High School in 1961. During high school he enjoyed playing football, running track, and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He received a degree in history from the University of Georgia and a juris doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1967. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. On July 27, 1968, Billy married Emily Susan Penland of Decatur, Georgia. They were married for 56 years. After graduating from law school, Billy began his 45-year career as a law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Render Morgan. For three years he practiced law with Latimer, Hadden & Stanfield in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1972 he returned to his hometown of Newnan, Georgia, and set up his private law practice. He served part-time as an assistant district attorney for Coweta County and was appointed district attorney in 1975. He was elected as a Superior Court judge for the Coweta County Judicial Circuit in 1980, held the position until 2012, and remains the longest-serving Superior Court judge to date for the Coweta Judicial Circuit. With deep roots in the legal profession, Billy's legacy is intertwined with the law through his maternal grandfather, Nathan Culpepper, and great-grandfather, John W. Park, who practiced law together in Meriwether County. Park also served as one of the first presidents of the State Bar of Georgia. The legal profession ran through Billy's veins, a natural continuation of a family tradition. Billy was a fifth-generation lifelong member of Central Baptist Church in Newnan, Georgia. He was also a member of the Newnan Rotary Club and the Georgia Bar Association for many years. In addition to his wife, Billy is survived by daughters Emily Lee Dean (Alan) and Martha Park Lee, both of Newnan; brother Robert Lewis Lee (Pam) of Newnan; sister Martha Lee Child of Atlantic Beach, Florida; grandchildren Sarah Louise Dean, Thomas Park Dean, and Caroline Stephens Dean, all of Newnan; and multiple nieces and nephews. Condolences may be expressed online at www.mckoon.com The family is deeply grateful to all who provided care during Billy's final days. The funeral is 11 am Monday, February 10, 2025 at Central Baptist Church, 14 West Broad Street, Newnan, GA, with Rev. Matt Sapp and Dr. Joel Richardson officiating. Following the funeral, the family will greet friends in the church fellowship hall. A private family burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery. Rather than flowers, the family respectfully requests contributions to Central Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1221, Newnan, GA 30264 or https://centralbaptistnewnan.org/ McKoon Funeral Home, Newnan, Georgia

William F. Lee, Jr.

February 13, 1943 - February 7, 2025