Bill and Virginia Lee make their home near Clearwater (rural Annandale). The couple have lived in their home since 1973, just down the road from where Bill was born. They are an interesting and fun couple who clearly enjoy each other’s company. Bill and Virginia have three daughters. They love spending time with their children, four granddaughters and three great grandchildren. The couple feels blessed to have their daughters and son-in-laws all live within easy driving distance.

 

The Lees have had an interesting story. The couple met in 1954 while Virginia was attending St. Cloud Teacher’s College. The couple wed on March 30, 1957.

 

Virginia was a stay-at-home mom for a while after their three daughters were born-Cathy in 1958, Ruth in 1960 and Becky in 1963. Virginia worked as a church secretary and also served on the Annandale School Board. Bill and Virginia have always been active in the Methodist church and productive members of society!

 

Bill took over farming his parents’ farm, milking cows and raising crops. Bill also worked for the telephone company, Northwestern Bell.

 

In 1985, Bill went on an Appalachian Service work project, and found that he loved it. He soon retired and wanted to do mission work projects. 

 

For approximately 25 years, Bill and Virginia spent winters working with World Gospel Mission and NOMADS (Nomads On A Mission Active In Divine Service), mostly in southern states and Mexico. Bill and Virginia were involved with doing construction, remodeling, and repairs through NOMADS, which is a Methodist mission organization whose goal is to demonstrate God’s love through their work.

 

The couple traveled to Honduras twice for mission work with World Gospel Mission (1989 and 1990). The first two-week assignment was to the island of Roatan and the second was to Tegucigalpa.

 

Bill and Virginia’s daughter Cathy, was in the Peace Corps and the couple worked at schools in Jamaica at that time. The couple has self published a book including Virginia’s columns that appeared in Monticello Times, as well as relating some of their work-project experiences. 

 

In 1978, Virginia began taking journalism classes at St. Cloud State. Virginia graduated from SCSU in 1983 and felt fortunate to secure an internship followed by a part-time job reporting for the Monticello Times under the ownership of Don Smith. Virginia was a staff writer during the time that I sold advertising and wrote a column at Monticello Times, as well. I enjoyed working with her until her retirement in 1999. I also got to know Bill a bit, as he served as handyman at the Monticello Times. Bill was helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. 

 

For the past six years, the couple has been spending six weeks every winter working at the Methodist Children and Family Services' OWL (Outdoor Wilderness Learning) Center near Ruston, LA.

 

A common thread in the Lees’ marriage is their Christian faith. Viriginia shared these thoughts about their marriage: “We agree about what's most important to both of us;  such as working on, and within, our faith. We honor our values in how we use money and put the joys of family at the center of our lives. Where we don't agree, we let each other know how we feel and try to be true to our mutual love. We pray for more understanding. Bill and I have very different interests and talents, so we make an effort to honor and appreciate that.”

 

Bill and Virginia agree that young couples should try to find common ground in what they both value in life. Embrace who you are, appreciate who your spouse is and remember to thank the good Lord for your blessings and ask for God's help daily with your challenges. 

 

Bill and Virginia - you are an inspiration!