William Dickey Obituary

William "Bill" Francis Dickey N. CHARLESTON - William "Bill" Francis Dickey, 91, of North Charleston, South Carolina, husband of Doris "Dobbie" Rebecca Herndon Dickey, entered into eternal rest Friday, May 24, 2013. His funeral service will be held Thursday, May 30, 2013, in Cooper River Baptist Church at 2:00 pm. Entombment, Carolina Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 pm in J. HENRY STUHR INC., NORTH AREA CHAPEL, 2119 Dorchester Road, North Charleston and at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Mr. Dickey was born on November 17, 1921 in North Charleston, South Carolina, son of the late William Bloxham Dickey and Ruby Wells Dickey. He grew up in North Charleston where he graduated from North Charleston High School in 1940. He began working at the Charleston Naval Shipyard, however, World War II was in full swing and the draft came along. In 1941, he volunteered for the US Army Air Corps (now called the US Air Force) as an aviation cadet. He became a flight officer candidate and eventually trained as a bomber pilot to fly B-52 aircraft. It was during this time he also received his commercial pilot's license. He maintained an interest in flying and especially aerobatic flying over the years. After the war, he enrolled at The Citadel and graduated in three years with a BS degree in Commerce. While at The Citadel, he played on both the golf and baseball teams. After graduation, he began his career at Cooper River Federal Savings and Loan and it was during his tenure at the bank that he received his graduate degree from Indiana University. After 40 years, he retired in 1988 as President and Chairman of the Board. In 1950, he married Dobbie Herndon of North Charleston and they have been married for 63 years. He was a charter member of Cooper River Baptist Church. Over the years, Bill has been involved in numerous civic activities including Director of St. Francis Xavier Hospital Development Foundation, Trustee of Charleston County Consolidated School Board, Coastal Zone Planning Commission, Chairman of Charleston County March of Dimes, Chairman of The Citadel Education Foundation Fund Drive, President of North Charleston Rotary Club and Director of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce. He served as a member, past president or director of other organizations such as Charleston Safety Council, United Way, Red Cross, Gibbs Art Gallery, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, U.S.O. and Charleston Country Club. He was also a charter member of Snee Farm Country Club. He was appointed by the governor to fill a position on Charleston County Council. He served as President of The South Carolina Savings and Loan League and was on the Board of the United States Savings and Loan League. He loved to golf, play the piano, hunt, fish, go boating and listen to music. He was also an amateur radio operator for 30 years. Because of his love of baseball, he coached Little League for five years. Under his leadership, the team won the state championship in 1951 and went to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvannia. He was also an avid golfer with a three handicap. His love of music has only grown throughout the years and he continued to play the piano on a regular basis, providing much joy to the residents and staff at Summit Place of Daniel Island, where he lived the last three years of his life. He is survived by his wife of 63 years; a son, Ronald W. Dickey and his wife, Lori, of Summerville; a daughter, Frances D. Griffiths and her husband, Geoff, of Bermuda; five grandchildren, Kristen Conlee of Summerville, William Tucker and Robert Tucker of Bermuda, Jessica Russell of Greenville and Gregory Hixson of Columbia; three great-grandchildren; Alexa Rae, Annalyn and Chandler Conlee of Summerville; a sister, Emily Dorothy Chaffin and a brother, Marion Edgar Dickey, both of Atlanta, GA. Memorials may be made to Cooper River Baptist Church, 1059 Crawford Street, North Charleston, SC 29405. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston