William Knapp Lee Jr.

William K. “Bill” Lee, Jr, 79, died early in the morning of Thursday, June 19, 2025. Born in New Haven, Connecticut on Jan. 11, 1946, he is survived by son, Alex, and brothers Walter, David and Richard.

After graduating from UNCG he began an award-winning career as a newspaper editor in several cities. Bill, a longtime book lover and dealer, used his passion for history to compile and write “The Newcomer’s Guide to North Carolina,” published in 2001.

He was involved in various civic projects, the last of which was organizing and documenting a large cache of civil war records for the Historic Natchez (Mississippi) Foundation.

A memorial service will be held at Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva, NC on July 6, 2025 at 1pm. 

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the Historic Natchez Foundation, P.O. Box 1761, Natchez, MS 39121 where Bill spent so much time and energy doing what he loved most: digging though written history.