Billy Lee is described by many as Savannah’s
resident legend. Few people have the vitality and
zest for life this man had. He is greatly missed
by so many people. Around 6 months before his
passing I interviewed him for an article in this
magazine which – out of humility, I suppose as
the reason – he asked me not to publish the article
so I l honored that request.
So many people in this city were touched by
him. He told me that just over the 30 years with
McDonough’s he hired probably enough people
to fill a stadium to work at this establishment. He
gave people a chance. He developed more than
employees and patrons, they became friends.
If you ever have the opportunity to walk
through a restaurant/bar while it is closed it is
at the moment the empty place is resting from
the clean up of the night, and prior to the early
rustling around preparing for the day ahead,
you will get a unique sense of the personification
of the place. McDonough’s echos not only Billy
but also the experiences of people who were
there over the years. There really is no place
like McDonough’s where some celebrate happy
times, get engaged, or break up, acknowledge
accomplishments, or angush over sports events.
It’s all of these emotions together and that is a
reflection of Billy’s zeal for life.
Billy had that gift of welcoming people into
his world at McDonough’s. After all, Billy literally
lived there. His absence is something many
people feel. The legacy of this legend is his family
and the tradition carries on. This past St. Patrick’s
Day reflects it with all of the people who are
still enjoying this place. After all, it was on St.
Patrick’s Day some 30 years prior that he opend
the doors with a plywood bar and some blaring
loud speakers playing music to the first patrons.
A quote that is attributed to George Carlin
and Will Smith, among others, says “Life is not
measured by the number of breaths we take rather
by the number of moments that take our breath
away.” McDonough’s facilitated those moments
for many. Today, it carries on in that tradition as
a fun and accommodating place for people of all
ages and walks of life.
He was always involved in this business every
day, paying attention to detail and runnig his
place “My WAY”. I asked him this question “If
you were to add a finishing remark, as if to end
the movie before the credits roll, what would you
say?” Billy paused and thought about that and
said hmmm. “That’s a good question”. His reply
appears to be appropriate to share with all of
you:
“I Love my family and friends and I hope they
are all going to be well and prosperous forever.”
—Billy Lee
27 WHERETOEATSAVANNAH.COM
Billy Lee
August 5, 1932 –
December 21, 2017 RIP
By Ross Howard, WTES
All menu items and prices were provided to WTES and are subject to change.