William Leroy (Lee) Ousley, age 95, of Homewood, Alabama, passed away on April 24, 2015. He is predeceased by his mother, Clyde McQueen Ousley and his father, William Richardson Ousley of Montgomery, Alabama.

Mr. Ousley was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and graduated from Sidney Lanier High School. After graduation he attended the Navy School of Music and became a member of the Navy Band. He was assigned to active duty in Honolulu, Hawaii, and was chosen to join the Admiral's Flagship as a part of Band 13.

On December 7, 1941, he was at Pearl Harbor on the USS Dobbin during the first wave of the attack. To prepare for the second wave, he was transferred to the USS Raleigh for ammunition supply to the deck guns. He survived the attack and remained in the South Pacific until 1946.

After an Honorable Discharge from the Navy, he attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Violin and a degree in piano technology.

In 1952 Mr. Ousley married Eleanor Orosan and moved to Birmingham, Alabama. He joined the Alabama Symphony and remained a member for 38 years. He taught band and stringed instruments in the Jefferson County School system. As a piano technician and musician contractor, he served the arts and music community in Birmingham for nearly 50 years.

Mr. Ousley is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eleanor (Nora) Ousley, his children Deborah Hawkins (Charles), Gary Ousley (Nancy), and Mitchell Ousley (Lori), and grandchildren Charlie Hawkins, Meaghan Hawkins, kali Ousley, Bridget Ousely, Annabelle Ousley, Aidan Ousley, and one great grandchild, Edwin Hill.

A Memorial Service will be held at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church on April 30, 2015, at 6:30 PM. Pastor Gary Furr will be officiating. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Published in The Birmingham News from Apr. 25 to Apr. 29, 2015.