Jim Lee

 James “Jim” Stanley Lee, 88, of Butler, Illinois, passed away peacefully at 11:45 a.m. on June 8, 2025, at Montgomery Nursing and Rehabilitation in Hillsboro, Illinois. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro, Illinois. At a later date, a private graveside service will take place at Wares Grove Cemetery.

 Jim was born on January 8, 1937, in Clinton, Indiana, to Stanley ‘Pop’ and Anna (Poling) Lee. He was raised in Rockville, IN where he attended school and church. At age 15, he battled polio—an experience that shaped his future. After graduating high school, he attended Indiana State University for a year before setting out to build a life on his own terms. He met his lifelong love, Janet Kay Jones, in Bloomingdale, Indiana. They married on March 2, 1958, at Friends Church in Bloomingdale and shared a strong and steady partnership. Together they raised two daughters, Judy and Julie. In 1971, the family moved from Salem, Illinois and settled in Hillsboro, later moving to Butler, Illinois.

 A born entrepreneur, he and his wife owned and operated several businesses over the years which began with the opening of Nassar Tire in 1972; followed by Lee’s Tire Mart, then Lee’s Boot Barn, which they proudly ran from the farm in Butler for more than two decades. He also hauled things for people, long before “hot shotting” became the term. He was always up for trying something new and had a knack for turning ideas into action.

 Jim attended the Hillsboro Free Methodist Church and participated with the Prime Timers group. In the past he also belonged to SERTOMA and the Luck and Buck Saddle Club for several years. For many years he enjoyed riding his horse down a trail or in a parade with family and friends. He was a fixture in the Old Settler’s and Witt parades as well as riding the trails and camping in at least 8 states.

 Preceding Jim are his parents, Pop and Anna; his horse, Sonny; and a few good dogs.

 He is survived by his wife, Jan Lee of Butler, Illinois; daughters, Judy (Gordon) Vollmar of Walshville, Illinois, and Julie (Lynn) Wollerman of Bingham, Illinois; grandchildren, Austin (Katie) Wollerman of Bingham, Illinois, Haley (Jordan) McGinnis of Mason, Illinois, Nicholas (Sarah) Wollerman of Omaha, Nebraska, and Kanon Wollerman of Bingham, Illinois; 4 great grandchildren plus another on the way; brother, John (Shirley) Lee of Rockville, Indiana; a sister-in-law, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that memorials be made in Jim’s honor to: Hillsboro Free Methodist Church, 1400 Seymour Avenue, Hillsboro, Illinois, 62049 and/or Wares Grove Cemetery, c/o Adam Anderson, 14219 IL Rte. 127, Butler, Illinois, 62015.

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