It was with great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Friday 5th January 2024 of Bishop William Lee, (Bishop Emeritus of Waterford and Lismore), Waterford City, Co. Waterford and formerly of Newport, Co. Tipperary.
Pre-deceased by his father John, mother Delia, his brother John, and his brother-in-law John McDonogh; Bishop Emeritus Lee passed away peacefully while in the care of hospice staff at St. Vincent’s ward of Dungarvan Community Care Hospital, Co. Waterford.
His passing is most deeply regretted and sadly missed by by his sisters, Sr. Patricia Lee and Eileen McDonogh, brother Pat, sisters-in-law Gay and Mary, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, Bishop Phonsie Cullinan and the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the diocese, Nora Jacob, his housekeeper and the staff of the Pastoral Centre and Diocesan Office, both past and present, friends, and by all those who knew him in his many pastoral ministries.
Requiescat in Pace.
Funeral Arrangements.
The earthly remains of Bishop Emeritus Lee will repose at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Barronstrand Street, Waterford City, Co. Waterford on Monday afternoon next, January 8th from 2:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
Rosary will be recited at 3:00pm with evening prayer led by the clergy at 5:00pm, followed by night prayer at 7:00pm.
Solemn Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday January 9th at 12:00 noon, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in the Cathedral grounds.
For those persons who are unable to attend Requiem Mass for Bishop Emeritus Lee, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended Lee family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
In ár gcroíthe go deo.
Bishop Lee was originally from Newport in Co. Tipperary, born in 1941; the eldest of five children, to parents John and Delia Lee.
He was ordained to the priesthood in 1966 at the age of 25, and later earned a Doctorate in Canon Law from St. Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth, before serving as President of Saint Patrick’s College, Cathedral Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, latter now Mary Immaculate College (MIC), linked with the University of Limerick.
In 1993 he was appointed to the post of Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, by Pope Saint John Paul II.
He also served as secretary to the Irish Episcopal Conference for some 15 years, between 1998 to 2013.Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Our condolences to Sister Patricia and all the Lee Family.
May he Rest In Peace.