W Lee Vann

Willie Lee Vann, age 94 of Lampasas, was born June 15, 1925 in Belton, Texas to Leslie Lee and Ora Viola (Carpenter) Vann. He passed from this life on January 4, 2020. Lee was preceded in death by his parents, brothers John Vann, Lynn Vann, and Dale Vann, sister-in-law Joan Vann, and brother-in-law Louis Hill. He is survived by his wife Faydell of Lampasas; son Leslie Vann and wife Melody of Decatur; son Joe Vann and wife Amy of Burnet; daughter Judy Hail and husband Mike of Lampasas; brother Vaughn Vann of Lampasas, sister Fannie Mae Hill of Salado, sister-in-law Lynette Vann of Evant, and sister-in-law Marianne Scarborough, grandchildren Miles Vann and wife Lyndsey, Vandi Nuckles and husband Jared, Kirby Phillips and husband Clay, Kleg Kennedy, Ellett Vann, Jonathan Hail and wife Kathryn, and Jake Hail. Great-grandsons Logan Vann, Jayden Hail, and Colton Hail. Vann attended Tennessee Valley and Belton schools graduating from Belton High School in May 1942. Vann’s family moved to Lampasas in 1942 when their land in Bell County was purchased by government in order to construct Lake Belton. In 1945, Vann attended John Tarleton Agricultural College. In 1961, he married Velma Faydell Smith in Lampasas, and they enjoyed 58 years together. They worked together operating Vann Livestock Company for 35 years, buying and selling hogs, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and farm equipment. Lee was an order buyer for Roeglein, Swift, Cudahy Packing, San Antonio Pack, and Bryant Foods in addition to numerous feedlots shipping livestock all over the United States and Mexico. Vann was a true agriculturist and was a self-employed farmer/rancher. This led to his involvement in the community serving on the Lampasas County Livestock Association and Lampasas County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. He was honored as Agriculturist of the Year by Lampasas Chamber of Commerce in 1990 and the Lampasas County Youth Livestock Show was dedicated to he and Faydell in 1993. At the show each year, an exhibitor is chosen as a recipient of the Lee Vann Sportsmanship Award. He was a strong supporter of youth and education and had acted as 4-H Adult Leader and FFA volunteer for many years. Vann was a Christian and a member of the First Street Church of Christ where he had served as a deacon. He also was a committee member for the West Texas Rehabilitation Center. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 7 from 5-7 p.m. at Sneed Funeral Chapel, and a funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 8 at 10 a.m. at the First Street Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, families request memorials be made in Lee Vann’s honor: Lampasas FFA 2716 S. Hwy 281 Lampasas, TX 7600   Burnet FFA 1000 Green Mile Burnet, TX 78611   Decatur FFA 750 East Eagle Summit Drive Decatur, TX 76234   First Street Church of Christ 201 West First Street Lampasas, TX 76550