
William Albert "Bill" Lee Jr.
September 30, 1943 - October 23, 2026
Obituary
LIVESTREAM SERVICE: Bill's Livestream Service will begin at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday, November 21, 2026. Click here to watch.
Memorial donations made to the family will be used to fund a memorial bench at Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
MONONA - Dr. William Albert “Bill” Lee Jr., 83, of Monona, Wis., passed away peacefully on Friday, October 23, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born to Elizabeth and William Albert Lee Sr. on September 30, 1943, in Wheeling, W. Va. He grew up in Cadiz, Ohio and attended Cadiz High School (1961). He was a football quarterback for Kent State University (1965) and went on to graduate dental school at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry (1969). Bill was a respected dentist of 44 years, practicing in Madison and Monona, Wis. Bill often thought of his patients and coworkers as friends and shared many laughs together.
Bill will be remembered as a kind leader who often went out of his way to help others. Bill adored and loved his family immensely. He found great joy in traveling and exploring the world with his wife. He was a devoted dad that brought joy to his wife, children, their spouses and his grandsons throughout their lives. He was great at teaching many life lessons, including, “The answer is no unless you ask.” He was always there for anyone who asked for help if they needed it. He was extremely proud of his grandsons and the young men they have become.
Bill lived life to the fullest, packing every day with fun and adventures. Most days he could be either found on a golf course, fishing behind the house, on the boat in front of the Monona terrace viewing the Capitol, cruising in his Jaguar, skiing with family and friends, and snorkeling or scuba diving in Cozumel. Bill often told the best jokes and made new friends with a simple hello. His positive attitude was infectious and made him very approachable to everyone.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Collette Lee; her son, Jason (Melissa) Leden; and his daughters, Trisha (Matt) Biljanic (and their sons Marko and Hunter) and Beth (Chris) Casey (and their son Will). He is also survived by his former spouse, Patricia Thomas Lee; his sister, Peggy (Jack) Moreland; along with many extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Elizabeth Lee; his infant sister, Anita Jean; and his sister, Jackie Wallace, and her husband, Charles Wallace.
A celebration of life will be held at OLBRICH BOTANICAL GARDENS, 3330 Atwood Ave., Madison, from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2026, with a service at 1 p.m. The family welcomes others to speak and share memories of their life experiences with Bill.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420