William (Bill) Elmer Dodge
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William (Bill) Elmer Dodge left his earthly home December 3, 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas. He was born August 11, 1934 in Ellensburg, Washington to Boyton Gates Dodge and Carolyn Ione Brown Dodge.
Bill spent the first 80 years of his life in a 70 mile radius of Central Washington until he and Mary moved to Fort Worth, Texas in 2013. He was drafted to the army in 1954 where he earned the rank of Corporal and worked as a gun mechanic until 1956. Bill began selling insurance in Quincy, Washington. When he moved to Wenatchee he opened the Dodge Insurance Agency. He was an agent for 27 years.
Bill was in Rotary for over 40 years. He was president of several of the Rotaries where he lived and earned the Paul Harris Fellow Award. He served on the City Council in Quincy. Bill was involved with many worthwhile community events throughout his life in Quincy and Wenatchee. He was on the Board of Directors of the Chambers of Commerce in Quincy, East Wenatchee and Wenatchee. His love for Community was obvious. In 1990 Bill was General Director of the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival and was Chancellor of the Wenatchee Applarians in 1996.
After retiring, you would find Bill reading, watching football, or sitting on the front porch enjoying his neighbors. He especially loved when the planes flew over the house. Bill never knew a stranger. He was always smiling and loved to tease everyone. Someone said that he was a gentle soul and is now probably the equivalent of a Walmart Greeter in heaven.
Bill is survived by his wife, Mary. Bill and Mary had 7 children between them:
Michele (Mark Reeves) Dodge - Wenatchee, Washington
Stephen Dodge - Ephrata, Washington
Maureen (Kenny) Edwards - Fort Worth, Washington
Cari (Larry) Kent - Great Falls, Montana
Ralph (Aimee) Sprout - University Place, Washington
Tonya (Michael) Weaver - Maplewood, Minnesota
Tiffany Dodge - Los Gatos, California
His brother Leonard Robert (Mary) Dodge - Portola Valley, California
16 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Bill was proceeded in death by his parents and older brother John.
A memorial service was held December 11, 2021 in Forth Worth, Texas. Bill's ashes were placed at the National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas December 20, 2021.
A celebration of Bill's life is tentatively scheduled for April 2, 2022 in Wenatchee, Washington.
Donations in Bill's name may be made to a Rotary of your choice or to the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival Scholarship Program.