William Lee Alexander, of Beverly Hills, FL, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 2, 2026 at the Reserve at Citrus under Hospice care, surrounded by his loving family. He was just shy of 92 years. Lee was born in Penn Yan, NY to the late Raymond and Harriet (Jensen) Alexander on February 19, 1934. He worked most of his life as a truck driver for Penn Yan Express, and he loved it. Lee met and later married Esther Walters in 1972, and they made a wonderful life together. He retired from Penn Yan Express after 30 years of dedicated service, and eventually they moved down to Florida in 1997 from Keuka Park, NY.
Lee and Esther had dear friends who lived across the street from them in Keuka Park, and they moved to Citrus County before them. When they would come down for visits, they fell in love with the area, and decided to leave New York behind. Lee and Esther stayed busy with a singing group through HPH Hospice. During the holidays, they would go around to different facilities and sing to the residents, to lighten their spirits and bring them joy. Lee also enjoyed mowing people’s yards for them, when he would see they needed it. Something else he enjoyed was a 1926 Model T Ford that he bought when he was 16 years old. Lee had it restored when he retired, and he loved driving it around, especially in the Beverly Hills Christmas parades, and Esther would toss candy out to the kids. He also enjoyed time at the Inverness Moose Lodge with his close friend, Brenda Naylor, participating in games of chance. He truly enjoyed his family and his friends.
Lee was preceded in death by not only his parents but also his devoted wife of 47 years Esther Alexander; and his brothers and sisters, Joe, John, and Lucy Alexander, Alma Miller, Lorena Savage, Jeanne Smith, and Carolyn Coon. Those left to cherish his memory are his sons, Barry Alexander of NY and FL, Rick Alexander (Carol Toutant) of Moreland Hills, OH, Keith Alexander (Lynn) of Atlanta, GA, Kenneth Walters (Denise) of Crossville, TN, and Jeffrey Walters (Nancy) of Bath, NY; his daughters, Karen Russell (Paul) of Beverly Hills, FL, Linda Soles (Thomas) of Hernando, FL, and Suzanne Lebans of Beverly Hills, FL; his brother and sisters, Jim Alexander of Trumansburg, NY, Priscilla Smith of Colorado Springs, CO; and step-sister, Ann Kirch of Penn Yan, NY; 14 grandchildren; several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and his long-time friend Brenda Naylor.
A Celebration of Life for Lee will be held later in the spring in Keuka Park, NY. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Humane Society of Citrus County, FL, Inc. PO Box 2283, Inverness, FL 34451. Arrangements are in the care of Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home with Cremation Care, Inverness.
Add Comment