Rev. William “Bill” Blaine Dodd, 88, of York, SC, passed away Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, SC.

 Rev. Dodd was born on November 9, 1936, in Charleston, WV, to the late Orville Hansford Dodd and Helen Theora Robinson Dodd. He was only 14 years old when he met the love of his life, Virginia Alice Bowden, who was a grade behind him at Woodrow Wilson Jr. High School. After a year-long courtship, plans were made to elope on the next rainy day. That day came on Thursday, February 12, 1953. Driving his father’s black ’49 two-door Chevy, he picked her up at the appointed place beside the school door, and they drove until they found a judge in Chesterfield, SC, who would perform the ceremony.

Following a call to ministry, their journey led them to Trevecca Nazarene College in Nashville, TN, where God continued to bless their home and marriage with four children. In the years that followed, they went wherever the Lord called, serving the Church of the Nazarene with pastorates in Florida, Ohio, Indiana, and finally Virginia. It was there that Bill also served as a chaplain for the Virginia Beach Police Department. The retirement years took them to South Carolina, where he assumed the role of caregiver to his beloved wife of nearly 70 years as she suffered from Alzheimer’s until God called her home in December 2022.

His heart for God, love for family, compassion for others, and generous spirit were evident to anyone who crossed his path. Blessed with an engaging personality that invited complete strangers to share their stories, he was quick to listen and slow to judge. An avid fan of the Miami Dolphins, he was known as Papa Doc to the Men of Honor Friday morning breakfast group, Granddad, Grandpa, and Papaw to the grandchildren he adored, and simply Dad to his children, who now proudly carry on the legacy of faith he lived out before them.

Survivors include his children: Dr. Robert Bruce Dodd (Cindi) of York, SC; Rev. William Randall Dodd (Nancy) of Gallatin, TN; Cynthia Jane Clark (Dave) of Hendersonville, TN; and Beverly Lynn Young (Dennis) of Ashburn, VA; his sister Peggy Keys; twelve grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be held on May 3rd at Steele Creek Presbyterian Church, located at 15000 York Road, Charlotte, NC. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by the service at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for memorial to The Veranda Ministries, 650 Nashville Pike, Suite 7A, Gallatin, TN 37066  https://theverandaministries.org/donate/ or The Alzheimer's Association, 4600 Park Road, Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209  https://www.alz.org/ .

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