Robert Edward Lee

Robert Edward Lee, 93, of Belle, formerly of Fairfax, Virginia, died Saturday afternoon, January 21, 2012, in the Frene Valley Nursing Home in Owensville. Robert was born on January 12, 1919, in Sikeston, Missouri. He is the son of the late William and Mattie Ables Lee. On October 10, 1946, Robert was joined in marriage to Viva Watkins in Sikeston. Together they were blessed with six children.
Surviving Robert are two sons Greg Lee of Falls Church, Virginia, and Bill Lee of Alexandria, Virginia, and one daughter Linda Smith of Belle. There are fifteen grandchildren and many great and great great grandchildren.
Robert is preceded in death by his wife Viva and three daughters Donna Schuler, Lareca Ashby, and Carol Anne Barlow. Also preceding Robert are all of his brothers and sisters Bill, Ray, and Wallace Lee, Thelma Schafer, Edna Mae Parker, and Helen Duncan.
Robert served a six year tour of duty in the Army Air Corp during WWII. In 1948, after receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, Robert was hired as an air traffic controller at the St Louis Lambert Airport. In 1960, Robert was promoted to Branch Chief of the Federal Aviation Administration in Washington D.C. After retirement from the FAA, Robert continued to work as a computer consultant. Robert played golf, and for many of his retirement years he played every day. Because of Viva's failing health, Robert and Viva moved from Virginia to Belle to be close to their daughter Linda.
A private memorial service will be held at the Arlington National Cemetery.