First Baptist Church

Man of the Year

By Pastor Alston |  August 19, 2011

In keeping with our Men’s Day Theme, “Just Do It,” The men of First Baptist Church are pleased to bestow on Bro. Bill Lee, the First Baptist Church Man of the Year Award. 

William E. Lee is a graduate of Southeastern High School and the Toledo Barber College.  He is an active member of the Male Chorus and can always be seen helping out in the kitchen.  Depending on what side of the tracks you’ve travelled on, you know Bro. Bill Lee in one of three ways…you either know him as BARBER Bill, BAILIFF Bill, or BROTHER Bill. 

As BARBER Bill, he has owned, operated or worked in just about every hair cutting establishment in the county.  The first shop he owned was Marshall’s, on Water Street, before he closed the doors and went to work at a barber school in Columbus.  He found success at the school and became the manager.  While working at the school, he purchased Carlo’s on Water Street in Chillicothe.  After the building fell in disrepair, a friend, Sonny Fannon, said he could use his shop on Mondays and continue to work at the school.

With too much free time on his hands, Bill put on another hat, and became BAILIFF Bill.  For 11 years, he worked as a municipal county bailiff, and then retired…again.  Still, while he was BAILIFF Bill, he continued to hone his craft as BARBER Bill.  He purchased the shop on Mill Street, formerly known as Eddie’s, in 1994.  He opened the shop in the evenings and on Saturdays, while cutting hair at The Lighthouse in Bainbridge.  For more, than 50 years, Bill has cut hair in Chillicothe, and just about everybody knows him. 

Bill has been unanimously chosen as our Man of the Year, because he really exemplifies this year’s theme…JUST DO IT.  If you’ve ever had a dinner at First Baptist Church, you’ve seen BROTHER Bill.  You’ve seen him...he’s the nice man who refills your punch, makes sure there is plenty of ice on hand, provides tableside  service for dessert and “seconds,” and jumps in to help clean up, when others are more willing to simply go home.  Bill simply does what needs to be done, with anyone having to ask!

Neighbors don’t have to ask him to bring them a newspaper – he’ll Just FETCH It!

Seniors in the block don’t have to ask him to shovel their snow – he’ll Just CLEAR It!

Need a light on your back porch? Don’t worry – he’ll Just INSTALL It!

Folks who miss church, don’t have to ask Bill for you a bulletin - he’ll Just BRING It!

If he thinks a bouquet of flowers would cheer you up?  –  he’ll Just SEND It!