Lee Wayne Waggoner, 88, of White Bluff, Tennessee, passed away peacefully in May 23, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born August 2, 1936, in Nashville, Tennessee, to Eurie Lee Waggoner and Rosie Mae Johnson, Lee lived a life defined by conscientiousness, craftsmanship, and unwavering integrity.
After high school in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, Lee enlisted in the United States Air Force in September 1954, serving with distinction until October 1966, then continuing in the Air National Guard until his retirement in October 2001—nearly five decades of military service.
As a tool and die maker at The Aviation Corporation (AVCO), Lee approached his craft with meticulous attention to detail. His passion for aviation ran deep, making him exceptionally knowledgeable about aircraft. His expertise with firearms earned him recognition as the 1962 and 1963 Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) champion in both kneeling and prone shooting positions.
Lee’s hands, though skilled in the tool and die trade, were guided by an artist’s soul. Throughout his life, he fashioned an extraordinary array of projects, each bearing a hallmark of skill and detail so refined they appeared professionally crafted. From the organic grace of carved wood and the sturdy embrace of furniture made for his children, to meticulous Civil War cannon replicas and the vibrant, stained-glass-like beauty of his intricate geometric drawings, a consistent mastery was evident. These were not simply the products of weekend leisure, but tangible manifestations of an artistic vision, turning humble materials into showroom or gallery-caliber works.
As a devoted father, Lee understood that life’s greatest lessons came through shared experiences. Friday nights found the Waggoner boys at racing speedways, and Sundays meant church, where Lee ensured his family was present for worship and fellowship. He taught his sons to shoot and hunt, took them camping and hiking, and shared his love of the outdoors. More importantly, he instilled Christian values and deep religious conviction through his quiet example.
Lee believed in accountability and integrity above all else. When he discovered one of his sons had taken candy from a store, he marched the boy back to confess and make restitution—a lesson in honesty that resonated far beyond that moment. The loss of his youngest son, Michael, in 1993 brought profound grief, yet Lee’s faith sustained him with the comforting knowledge of a promised reunion.
On February 26, 1990, Lee married Joyce McGraw at her family home in Urbana, Ohio. Through this union, he gained two sons whom he cherished deeply. He was a member of Music City West Church of the Nazarene.
Lee was preceded in death by his son Michael Waggoner, grandson Cody McGraw, parents Eurie and Rosie Waggoner, and brother Robert Joseph Waggoner. He is survived by his devoted wife Joyce Waggoner; sons Dennis (Kathy) Waggoner, Terry (Lourdes) Waggoner, Mike McGraw, and Gary McGraw; grandchildren Christian and Dylan Waggoner, and Tori and Max Waggoner; and great-grandson, Silas Waggoner.
Funeral services will be officiated by Mike Dodrill, at 12:00 P.M., June 4, 2025, at Dickson Funeral Home & Cremation Center. Visitation with the family will be from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at 12:00 P.M. Interment will follow in Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, Nashville, TN, at 2:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Tunnels to Towers Foundation or The Wounded Warrior Project.
Lee Wayne Waggoner lived with quiet dignity, worked with uncompromising precision, and loved with steadfast devotion. His legacy endures in the lives he shaped through nearly nine decades of purposeful, principled living.
This obituary was published by Dickson Funeral Home & Cremation Center.
This obituary was published by Obituaries provided free for the community.
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