Born in Dallas, Texas on February 19, 1948 to Charles William Dodson, Sr. and Lillie B. Landua Dodson, Bill grew up playing baseball, reading adventure books, and learning the guitar. He went to high school at St. Mark's School of Texas, where he was president of the astronomy club and took honors courses. At Southern Methodist University, Bill was on the diving team and studied psychology, management, and accounting.
Bill held a variety of jobs in his early years—everything from a service station attendant earning $1.25 an hour in high school to loading the meals onto airplanes at DFW. He also worked for Concerts West, a perfect fit for his love of music and free spirit. Much to his mother's chagrin, you can find Bill on the front page of the Dallas Morning News on August 31, 1969 at the Texas International Pop Festival.
Bill knew he wanted to go into retail, following in his parents’ footsteps after they founded women’s clothing store Lilly Dodson in 1963. When Bill's father died in 1967, Bill was only a freshman in college. He helped his mother with the family business and continued to run it successfully until he sold it in 2002. Soon after he joined the family business, Bill expanded by opening another store called Billboard. Patty Pribyl applied for a manager position there in 1973. Bill and Patty married in March of 1975 and celebrated 45 years of marriage this year.
Bill was a great problem solver and a creative and fearless businessman. He was the first to bring a new designer collection of clothing to the U.S. called Escada and was known for hosting elaborate style shows in Highland Park Village. Bill always worked hard to build a successful business and provide for his family. Through Lilly Dodson, he contributed to many organizations like AWARE, Equest, and The Kidney Foundation, raising nearly $100,000 a year for charity. Philanthropy and giving back to his community came as naturally to him as his strong work ethic.
A master handyman and space planner, there was nothing Bill could not fix or build. He loved helping his children and neighbors with home projects and repairs. He had a gift for architecture, remodeling, and finding new uses for old items.
Bill lived his life to the fullest and was always his son and daughter's biggest cheerleader. His hobbies included running, tennis, and golf. Music was a huge part of his life. His favorite sports teams were the Mavericks and the Cowboys. He was an early adopter of new technology, eager to try out the latest and greatest and share it with his children.
In his later years, he relished time with his three grandchildren, always thinking up elaborate games for them or building creative structures for their birthday parties. He never stopped giving back, donating countless hours to building wooden toys for children through Hobby Crafters Foundation. His workshop was immaculately organized, a magical place in which his grandkids loved to spend time with him.
Bill is survived by his wife, Patricia Jean; his daughter, Carrie Jean Dodson Davis, and son-in-law, Bryan Matthew Davis; daughter-in-law, Carrie Ann Dodson; grandchildren Charles Gabriel Dodson, Avery Grace Davis, and William Christopher Davis; and sister, Linda Dodson Mewhinney. Bill is predeceased by his son, Brian Christopher Dodson.
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