William Lee, 84, a Mr. Fix-It and lover of music

WILLIAM H. LEE SR. could keep up with just about any topic of conversation. He had educated himself by reading many subjects, especially history, and could hold his own with the most erudite.

William was a man of many talents and interests. After leaving the work force, he took flying lessons. A Mr. Fix-It, he could repair anything, including small appliances like TV sets, his family said. He also was skilled at carpentry and other handiwork.

William Lee, a 32-year mail carrier for the Postal Service, an Army veteran and devoted family man, died Feb. 4. He was 84 and lived in Southwest Philadelphia.

After retiring from the Postal Service, he found an ideal job for his love of music - security guard for the Curtis Institute of Music - where he enjoyed attending recitals.

His love of music was passed on to family members, including his granddaughter Lauren Lee, who, at age 12, sang "O Mio Babbino Caro," from the opera "Gianni Schicchi" by Puccini, at the Kimmel Center of the Performing Arts.

She had won a Golden Key Award from the Nellie Berman School of Music.

"He loved music and the arts," William Lee Jr. said of his father.

William Lee was born in Philadelphia to Henry and Lottie Ruth Lee. He graduated from Overbrook High School. He served in the Army in Europe during World War II.

While working for the Postal Service, he ran a coin-operated laundry in North Philadelphia.

William, an avid angler, also liked to go deep-sea fishing off Cape May.

"He was very loving and caring," said his son. "He would give you the shirt off his back. He was a very wise man. He could talk on any subject. No matter what you wanted to talk about, he could talk with you."

As a flier, William got as far as flying a plane with an instructor. He didn't get to solo status.

His favorite food was the Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N Fruity breakfast platter at the International House of Pancakes, which he enjoyed a couple of times a week.

He married his wife, Geraldine, in 1960. She died in 1994.

Besides his son, he is survived by three daughters, Beverly, Mariann and Karen; two other sons, Carl and Norman; a brother, Charles; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by another daughter, Valarie.

Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at the Tasker Street Baptist Church, 2010 Tasker St. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Fernwood Cemetery. *