William Dodson Smith

William Dodson Smith, 90, of Winston-Salem, NC died November 20, 2015. He was born to the late Marion Adolphus and Helen Dodson Smith May 11, 1925 in Greenville, SC.

He graduated at age 17 from James S. Gray High School in June 1943 and joined the US Marine Corps in July. He served as a radio operator in the Pacific Theater in WWII during the taking of Tarawa and Saipan Islands and received a Bronze Star with a Combat V for bravery and a Purple Heart. He loved his Marine brothers and sisters and was a proud member of Marine Corps League Detachment 1075.

Dodson retired at the age of 75 from Kelly Office Machines (Kelly Office Solutions), where he was employed for 50 years.

Dodson enjoyed photographing people, nature, and places he visited around the world. He loved music, feeding birds and wildlife, and making people laugh. He delighted in inventing unique nicknames for his friends.

He was a long time, dedicated member of Pinedale Christian Church.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife and high school sweetheart, Lorene Davis Smith; daughter Hester Joan Rodgers; brother Thomas Hayne Smith; sister Marian Horne; and loving second wife, Allene Mays Sebastian Smith.

He is survived by a daughter, Judy L. Smith (Bill Beardall) of Asheville, NC; his granddaughter Virginia Rose Rodgers of Charlottesville, VA; son-in-law Ben A. Rodgers, numerous nieces and nephews, step-sons Dane Sebastian (Joan) and David Sebastian; and step-grandsons Adam (Anna) Sebastian, Brent (Megan) Sebastian, and Chad Sebastian; and 4 step great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Dodson's life will be held Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at 11:30 am at Pinedale Christian Church, officiated by ministers Bob McCaskill, Bill McKinzey, and Richard Hughes. Burial with military honors will follow the service at Parklawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Monday, November 23, 2015 from 6 - 8 pm at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel.

Memorials may made to Wounded Warriors Battalion East, PP1 Recovery Drive, Camp Lejeune, NC 28542, Attn: Charitable Orgs/Dallas Poole; or Pinedale Christian Church, http://www.pinedale.org/contact-us.

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