Cover photo for Bill Dorsey's Obituary
Bill Dorsey Profile Photo
1934 Bill 2016

Bill Dorsey

May 5, 1934 — July 19, 2016

Billy P. Dorsey

Graveside services for Bill Dorsey will be held at 9:30 am, Friday, July 22, 2016 at Woodlawn Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 10:30 am at Claremore Assembly of God Church. Pastor Dave Mewbourne and Rev. Phil Taylor, of Tulsa, will share words of comfort. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Thursday, July 21st from 1 - 8 pm. The family will receive visitors from 6 - 8 pm. Bill passed away in his home with family by his side on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. He was 82 years old.
Born in Verdigris on May 5, 1934 to Albert Neal and Stella Ava (Neal) Dorsey, Bill was raised and educated in his birth community. He attended Verdigris Schools through the 8th grade and finished his studies at Claremore High School, graduating with the class of 1952. Bill learned from an early age the vaue of hard work and worked at J.C. Penny right out of high school. With an independent and entrepreneurial spirit, Bill started his own ditching contracting company, Dorsey Excavating. He worked with many plumbing companies in Tulsa but, largely, contracted with Hale Plumbing. Drives through the city of Tulsa always brought lengthy descriptions of the sewer and water lines he dug for many homes and businesses. He ran his business with honesty and integrity for 45 years.
Bill's family was his first priority and he provided for them well. He and Laverne (Smithey) were married on November 25, 1955 in a Claremore ceremony. They made their home in Claremore where they raised two daughters, Pam and Debbie. Bill loved all sports! He loved to golf and play basketball. Hunting quail and pheasant was another passion shared with his family members. Bill raised Angus cattle for many years and used Laverne and his girls as ranch hands. He was the first tenor for the Ambassador Quartet for many years and loved ministering in so many churches in the area. Bill's competitive spirit extended to his gardening and he would often have bragging rights to his brothers, who could grow the biggest and best. Bill and Laverne acquired a cabin at Grand Lake and he spent countless hours on the "African Queen" fishing. His time spent with his grandchildren was most special. Bill made sure to attend all their activities to cheer them on.
Those family members that survive include his wife, Laverne; his daughters, Pam Robinson and husband Steve, and Debbie McKay, all of Claremore; his granddaughters, Stephanie Stidham and husband Stewart of Checotah, Bailey Robinson of Claremore, and Marcy McKay of Grapevine, Texas; his great grandchildren, Spencer and Simon Stidham also of Checotah; his family members, Albert "Chick" Dorsey and wife Ellen, Rev. Don Dorsey and wife Norma, Cliff McCoy and wife Fern, and a host of nieces and nephews and extended family members. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Wayne Dorsey, Rev. Beauford Dorsey, Ima Jean Butler, Arnold "Jody" Dorsey, Wanda Dalton and Rema
Scott.

View and sign Bill's online tribute at www.mmsfuneralhomes.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bill Dorsey, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, July 21, 2016

1:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)

MMS - Payne Funeral Home & Cremation Service

102 W 5th St, Claremore, OK 74017

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