Obituary of William Joseph Chee Hien Lye

William Joseph Chee Hien Lye passed away peacefully at the Foothills Medical Centre, in Calgary on Saturday, June 30, 2007. William was born in Kota Kinabalu (formerly Jesselton), Sabah, Malaysia, to proud parents John Lye and Lucy Chong. He attended La Salle College in Hong Kong. After the Second World War, he joined the Royal Hong Kong, Singapore, and Sabah Police Forces, rising to Head of the Criminal Investigation Division before retiring. He then pursued a sales career with the Ray-O-Vac Co. before running for political office. In 1978, William was elected as a Member of Parliament in his home State of Sabah, and appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Works and Transportation in the Federal Government of Malaysia. Following re-election in 1982, he was appointed to the post of Federal Deputy Minister of Labour and Manpower. For his enormous contribution to the State of Sabah, he was conferred the title of “Datuk” by the Governor of Sabah. After his second term, he ended his political career in 1986 to establish an insurance business before his final retirement in 2000. William has always served the Lord wholeheartedly and with all of his heart, his mind and his strength. In his retirement years he devoted the majority of his time helping the sick and the poor; making several pilgrimages to Europe as well as leading a religious tour group visiting and spreading the gospel to China. His hand-made rosaries and arranged printing of Chinese Bibles were distributed to orphanages and churches in Malaysia and China. William also took great joy and pride in writing Chinese calligraphy, which included copying text of the Chinese Bible. His love of travel took him and Teresa across five continents and over twenty countries, winning many life-long friends throughout the world. William is survived by his wife of fifty-three years, Teresa; his loving mother Lucy; sister and brother-in-law Annie and Francis Chong; daughters and sons-in-law, Florence, Alexandra and Chi-Fui Chong and Susanna and Sunny Ma; sons and daughters-in-law, Leonard and Brenda Foo, and Hilary and Jeanette Lin. He will also be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren, Jeannette (Chris Baldwin), Alexander, Ian, Tracy, Lucinda, Patrick and Victoria. and a circle of other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Thursday, July 5, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church (321 – 90th Avenue S.E.) on Friday, July 6, 2007 at 1:00p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of William Lye, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.