Bill Yee, 93, an owner and operator of the historic Grand Canyon Cafe along Route 66 in downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, for more than 30 years, died June 28, according to an obituary in the Arizona Daily Sun.
Diving into the obituary, Yee was not a native American, but his is the classic American success story:
Bill was born in China on November 23, 1921 in Taisan, Guangzhou China and immigrated to the United States in 1937, when he went to school and worked with his father in Cleveland, OH in the laundry business. His father arranged for him to get married in China in 1940, but Bill and Ann were unable to return to the United States during World War II, thus their son Stephen was born in China.
Following the war Bill was able to return to the United States but encountered immigration difficulties bringing his wife and son back with him. In 1946 he was contacted by his three uncles to jointly own and operate the Grand Canyon Café in Flagstaff. It was not until 1951 that he was able to bring his wife to the United States, and in 1953 he was able to bring his son Stephen to join them. After he was reunited with his wife, his twin sons Donald and Ronald, daughter Wanda, and son Edwin were born in Flagstaff. Bill enjoyed taking friends and family fishing on his boat, and continued to fish, making his own fishing poles and lures, well into his retirement. In 1980, he retired from the restaurant business, and successfully transitioned to apartment building owner and manager.
Other things noteworthy about Yee. He was married to his wife, Ann, who survives, for 74 years. All of his children also graduated from college.
Norvell Owens Mortuary, located on Route 66 in Flagstaff, is in charge of the visitation Sunday and the funeral Monday at Citizens Cemetery in Flagstaff. Appropriately enough, a reception will held at the restaurant after the funeral at 11 a.m. Monday.
Freddie and Tina Wong have owned and operated the restaurant since Yee’s retirement. The Grand Canyoun Cafe opened in 1942 and, save for an expansion after World War II, has remained the same. And it serves Chinese food and classic American fare, including chicken-fried steak.
(Hat tip to Scott Piotrowski; image of Grand Canyon Cafe by BriYYZ via Flickr)
We’re gonna miss you Alot and mainly your food..!! Thanks for caring for our pplz…May God be with you as u travel on in Life. Take care & God bless you..!!!