On Sunday, February 7, 2021, Warren Lee Simmons, loving husband and father of three children, passed away at the age of 74.
Lee was born on January 10, 1947 in Albemarle, NC to Victor Herbert Simmons and Jessie Beatrice (Watson) Simmons. On May 31, 1967, he married Sonja Stella Biles. They had three children, Michael Lee, David Lee, and Christina Joy.
Since the age of 13, Lee has been involved in the radio broadcasting world, first as an overnight DJ, to Engineer, and finally to owner. His passions included flying helicopters, racing Corvettes, and advocating for his community. He opened W. Lee Simmons & Associates Inc., Broadcasting Engineering firm in 1967. In 1984, the Simmons Family moved to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina where Lee and Sonja built their flagship radio station, WLOW. Lee was a Co-Founder and Broadcasting Engineer of WLOW until they moved back to NC in 2000.
Lee then worked as the Director of Engineering for 18 years with Janpak Inc. Lee has been honored many times in his life but his most meaningful was the 1990 South Carolina Broadcasters Association award for his professionalism and service to the citizens of the State of South Carolina and to his fellow broadcasters in South Carolina during Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Lee loved playing poker with his buddies and discussing politics with his coffee group.
Lee was preceded in death by his father, Victor, and his mother, Jessie, his wife, Sonja, and their son, Michael. He is survived by their two children, David (Sabrina) and Joy (Brian), his brother, Oren.
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Lee was an active member of the Albemarle Senior High School Class of 1965 group. Lee was credited with establishing our current private website and involving well over one hundred members of the largest class to graduate from ASHS. Our class is indeed grateful for Lee’s love and friendship over the years–he will be missed by all classmates. Thank you,my friend. May you rest in peace !
Lee was always involved with radio. WZKY
Our family and two others owned WABZ. I guess we were connected by radio.
I remember his mom so well. Ms. Jessie. She was always there at Times Sporting Goods. His dad was always out back working on Johnson Outboard motors. I spent a lot of time there. Good family. Good person. Good classmate.
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