YEE, William (Bill)

Norvel Owens Mortuary, Flagstaff, Arizona William "Bill" Yee (November 23, 1921 - June 28, 2015) William (Bill) Yee, (aka Yut Ling Yee), age 93, of Flagstaff passed away peacefully on June 28, 2015. Bill is survived by his wife of 74 years Ann, five children Stephen (Sueiha), Donald, Ronald (Karen), Wanda (Chuck) Kaminski and Edwin (Karen), seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and sister, Oi Yee Ginn. Bill was born in China on November 23, 1921 in Taisan, Guangzhou China and immigrated to the United States in 1937, when he went to school and worked with his father in Cleveland, OH in the laundry business. His father arraigned for him to get married in China in 1940, but Bill and Ann were unable to return to the United States during World War II, thus their son Stephen was born in China. Following the war Bill was able to return to the United States but encountered immigration difficulties bringing his wife and son back with him. In 1946 he was contacted by his three uncles to jointly own and operate the Grand Canyon Café in Flagstaff. It was not until 1951 that he was able to bring his wife to the United States, and in 1953 he was able to bring his son Stephen to join them. After he was reunited with his wife, his twin sons Donald and Ronald, daughter Wanda, and son Edwin were born in Flagstaff. Bill enjoyed taking friends and family fishing on his boat, and continued to fish, making his own fishing poles and lures, well into his retirement. In 1980, he retired from the restaurant business, and successfully transitioned to apartment building owner and manager. Bill overcame immigration and second-language challenges to become a quietly successful businessman and proud father who saw all of his children graduate college. He forged deep and lasting friendships in Flagstaff while maintaining strong cultural ties to his Chinese heritage. Bill will be greatly missed by his friends and loved ones. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 5, 2015 from 6:00-8:00 p.m and funeral services will be on Monday, July 6, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Norvel Owens Mortuary, 914 E. Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ. Interment will follow at Citizens Cemetery, 1300 S. San Francisco Street, Flagstaff, AZ. There will be a reception following the burial service at the Grand Canyon Café, 110 E Route 66. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Bill may be made to the Hospice Compassus (1000 N Humphreys St., Suite 220, Flagstaff, AZ 86001) and/or the Yee Fung Toy Family Association (3040 N 16 St., Phoenix, AZ 85016).