William Lee “Bill” McLees, 86, of Jones Street in Blairsville, formerly of Murphy, N.C., and Blue Ridge, Ga., passed away Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, in Chatuge Hospital following an extended illness.
Mr. McLees was born on June 17, 1936, in Anderson, S.C., the son of the late James Franklin McLees and Cora Kellet McLees.
Before joining the Navy, Bill earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and was named valedictorian of his graduating class.
Bill had worked many years for NASA and helped design the Saturn V Rocket and Polaris Missile, and was instrumental in getting the crew of the Apollo 13 Mission, Jim Lovell and his crew, home safely.
After his NASA days, Bill went to work for Rockwell in the military division and designed the Polaris Missile. Bill also helped design the Cable TV system throughout Union, Fannin, Cherokee and parts of Tennessee.
He owned the Texaco Distributorship out of Blue Ridge for several years, and served on the City of Blue Ridge City Council.
Bill was preceded in death by two stepdaughters, Robin Cone and Deanna Ledford; and a brother, Larry McLees; and a sister, Sara Kathryn McLees Barnette.
Bill was a member of First Baptist Church in Murphy.
Surviving Mr. McLees are his loving wife of 33 years, Judy Brown McLees of Blairsville; one son and daughter-in-law, David and Kimberly McLees of Jefferson, Ga., one daughter, Lea Ann McLees of Marietta, Ga.; his stepchildren, Junior and Lisa Graham of Blairsville, the Rev. Jeff and Angie Graham of Gainesville, Ga., Lisa and Greg Guffey, and David and Melissa Spivey, all of Blairsville; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Dianne McLees of Anderson, S.C., Ivan and Anita Walker, Darlene and Terry Helton, Larry and Shirley Brown and Jodi Lee, all of Blairsville, and Sam and Donna Walker of Blue Ridge; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews; and many other relatives and friends also survive.
As per Bill’s wishes, no services are planned.
In lieu of flowers if you wish, the family requests that donations may be made to the Union County Humane Society Mountain Shelter in Mr. McLees’ memory.
Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville was in charge of arrangements.
You may sign the family guest book and send condolences online at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com.