Billy Dortch

March 2, 2015

Billy Dortch passed away on Friday, February 27, 2015. He served in the U.S. Air Force for four years and has been employed with International Paper for the last 40 years. Billy had many joys in his life: his love for his family, Spring Lake ,deer hunting, fishing, cooking ,and sitting around the camp fire. Probably one of his most favorite things to do was riding around Spring Lake with his two best friends, Buddy and Smokey. Everyone was always welcome in his home.

He is preceded in death by his parents, J.C. Dortch and Martez Gilmore Dortch.

Billy is survived by his wife, Joanne Dortch; his son, Adam (Hayley) Dortch of Bratt; daughter, Heather (Rodney) White of Bratt; five grandchildren, Hillary Dortch, Ali Martin, Peighton Dortch, Cameron White and Carsyn Dortch; one great-granddaughter, Talise Gregson; sisters, June (Roberto) Valenzuela of Colorado; Kristy (Steve) Gibson of Bratt; brothers, Randy (Sue) Dortch of Bratt, Tim (Gabby) Dortch of Nokomis and Mark (Sheila) Dortch of Bratt; his longtime best friend, Buddy Plair; and his favorite companion, Smokey.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home with Pastor Ted Bridges officiating.

Burial will follow in Godwin Cemetery in Bratt.

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North in Cantonment.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The American Cancer Society, 5401 Corporate Woods Drive, Pensacola, FL 32504.

Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is in charge of arrangements.

Comments

15 Responses to “Billy Dortch”

  1. D B and family on March 11th, 2015 5:17 pm

    Pat, Heather and Adam,

    We just returned from our cruise to learn of your loss. Our prayers are with you.

    Condolences sent to you and may God give you all comfort.

  2. Marcia Taylor on March 7th, 2015 3:58 am

    Adam and Billy I thought the world of him, we were, and will always be friends. I didn’t know till after the services that he went home. Awesome man, he is in peace now. I am so proud I was part of his of life. Thank you for sharing him.

  3. Lady on March 6th, 2015 3:59 pm

    Joanne and family Eddie and I could not be with you during the passsing of our dear friend ,Billy but we have both been in bed with the flu for almost two weeks. We enjoyed you alll every time all our friends like you gathered at The Barn for music by our family. It was people like you and Billy that kept our place where people could come,have a good fun time with CLEAN people and then go home to church the next day. Oh how we enjoyed people like you all. We know Billy was welcomed home by his Mom and Dad who were special too. Our love to you and your family.
    Eddie and Laura

  4. Fellow Spring Laker on March 6th, 2015 3:23 pm

    That was a beautiful service! Mr. BIlly will be missed by so many loved ones!!! Keeping you in my prayers Mrs. Joanne!!

  5. Robert on March 5th, 2015 5:39 pm

    Adam, I am glad you could look down in that casket and know in your Heart that you had no regrets. Even though you miss Him, knowing you temporarily parted on good terms should lift you up.

  6. Pat Green on March 5th, 2015 8:31 am

    He was truly a great man and good friend to all who knew him..he will be missed by us all. Prayers to all the Dortch family. May God bless you all and give you peace in this very sad time. RIP Billy

  7. valerie conn on March 4th, 2015 12:59 pm

    ADAM. I KNOW I DIDNT KNOW YOU AND YOUR DAD THAT WELL BUT HE WAS ALWAYS NICE TO ME. I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU HOW TRUELY SORRY I AM FOR YOU FAMILY LOSS !!! YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

  8. robert ledkins on March 3rd, 2015 7:04 pm

    Billy…R.I.P..Robert Ledkins

  9. Mark A Singleton on March 3rd, 2015 1:16 pm

    @ Adam

    I knew your dad for many years and what you have written about him is so correct. I have known the entire Dortch family for years and will say Billy came from a very talented family! There was a standing joke about the Dortch boys in maintenance were keeping the paper mill running right! We knew it was true but we just had to let them know we appropriated them, of course your dad and uncles would just smile and act as it was nothing to it at all! Your dad was always willing to offer anyone in need assistance. It did not matter where Billy saw a friend, he was going to let you know and speak to you! Sounds like to me Adam your dad, Billy, left his son in pretty good shape i`d say! I know that you are so proud to be his son I could tell that from Spring Lake!. Billy Dortch was a man among men!

  10. greg cox on March 3rd, 2015 1:10 pm

    Gonna miss you Billy. Spring Lake will never be the same!

  11. wild man cox on March 3rd, 2015 11:06 am

    Will be mlssed at the lake. RIP

  12. Carrie Cotton on March 3rd, 2015 10:46 am

    Billy Dortch I will miss seeing your sweet smile and hugs!! You always checked in on me on the way into work and are very much loved and missed and I hope to see you again in the kingdom of heaven my prayers to your family Adam and Jimmie My heart is hurting for you guys and know you guys are being prayed for during this time.

  13. Patricia on March 3rd, 2015 9:49 am

    Uncle Billy,
    I am having a hard time grasping the fact u are gone. I can promise u one thing u will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. I have known u my entire life. My boys look at u as family. U were an amazing man and have touched our lives as well as many others. Spring lake is gonna be hard without u. I’ll try and keep my daddy and uncle buddy in check. That was ur job but I will step up. We love u and I’m at peace knowing u r in no more pain but hurt cause ur gone. May u rest in peace and we will be together again one day. I love u Uncle Billy. Your niece Patricia

  14. Willene & Preston Bryan on March 3rd, 2015 8:45 am

    Our sincere condolence Heather, Adam, Cameron & family.

  15. Adam on March 3rd, 2015 1:50 am

    Daddy, I guess you and paw paw are fishing by now and granny is cooking fried mullet and grits!!! There is a hole in my heart right now that I can’t fix, you was my best friend and I wasn’t ready for you to go but I am at peace now knowing that you are not suffering no more!! You left behind a bunch of people that loved you dearly and I know you are looking down on us not wanting for us to be mourning you. You where the strongest man I’ve ever known and I thank god for all the times I spent with you. I just hope that I can be half the man you was! I thank you for making me the man that I am, all those butt whippings was for a reason huh!! Your grandchildren loved and adored you daddy! They enjoyed every minute they spent with you, I can promise you that! I’m gonna miss seeing you every day at work, most people can’t say they worked along with their dad, but I was one of the lucky ones!!! You touched a many people’s heart I can promise you that! Daddy, you were Loved by many a people and I’m proud to say I was your son!! I will make you proud! I will teach my kids the values you taught me, you were the smartest man I’ve ever known! We miss you sooooooooooo much!!! I Love You Daddy and I’ll see you at the pearly gates! God took a good man and he doesn’t make mistakes!!! I LOVE YOU DADDY!!! Your son, Adam

Written by Jane · Filed Under Obituaries