John William Dosher

John William Dosher was born on October 5, 1932 in Southport, NC to Charlie and Gertrude Dosher. He was called Billy by his friends, and Sardina by his best friends. Growing up he was a hard working boy who always had a job delivering groceries in a cart pulled by his pet goat, mending crab traps and shrimp nets, or working with his father and uncles. He graduated from Southport High School where he was a letterman in basketball. He lead the team in rebounding, and, while it was not called this back in the day, trash talking. He entered the Navy upon graduation, serving on the USS Wisconsin for 4 years during the Korean War. When he returned home following his service to the United States, he attended Miller Monte Business School in Wilmington, NC. When he graduated, he found work in Southport at the local builders supply as well as working in the administration department of Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport. In the mid 1960’s, he starting working at the Southport ABC store, where he worked until 1996. In November 1966, he married his soulmate, Joan Piner. Theirs was a love for the ages. They welcomed their son, John William Dosher Jr. in February 1969 and were blessed with a daughter, Heather Angelique, in March 1972. Their lives revolved around their children and each other. It was a truly rare occasion that the two of them were not together. They ate their lunch together every day on her break from her job as a nurse and his from the ABC store. Billy made breakfast every day and Joan prepared the family dinners. They made sure to take family vacations every year and were happy to purchase a camper when their children were young. They continued to take their trips and raise their family until Joan passed away from cancer in 1991. Billy was devastated by her absence, but abiding by her wishes sunk all of his attention into his children and their fledgling families. John Jr married Jennifer Jessup in 1991 and the two of them moved to Florida where they had two children, Will (1996) and Claire (1999). Billy spent many weeks each year in Florida, and even purchased a camper to keep near their home for his extended visits. Heather married Joe Young and they moved to the West Coast, first in Portland and then Seattle. Their move presented Billy with a problem as he promised the Lord he would never get on an airplane again after a bad experience as a boy. So, he made his peace with God and boarded the plane. Heather and Joe were blessed in 2003 with their son, Jack, with prompted several more flights out west. Billy was a doting grandfather to all three of his grandchildren who helped to fill the void of his beloved Joan. He vacationed with his children and grandchildren every year through 2017 including trips to Disney World, British Columbia, Washington DC, the Caribbean, and Clearwater Beach. He truly knew his grandchildren for who they were and adored every aspect of them and their lives. In May of 2017, while in Florida for his granddaughter’s high school graduation, he was hospitalized for symptoms related to his chronic kidney disease. He fought hard for the next several months, but ultimately went to be with his Lord on November 26, 2017. He was at peace with his life and was looking forward to being reunited with Joan. Billy was preceded in death by his Father, Charles Edward, his mother, Gertrude Aldridge, his brother, Jimmy, his sister, Maxine, and his wife, Joan. He is survived by his son John Jr, his daughter, Heather, his daughter-in-law, Jennifer, his son-in-law, Joe, his grandson, William Jessup Dosher, his granddaughter, Halle Claire Dosher, and his grandson, Jackson Sommerset Young. All of his surviving family members will miss his earthly presence in their lives tremendously, but feel so fortunate that he was here for 85 years to create a strong family foundation and infinite beautiful memories. A memorial service will be held in Southport, NC on a future date. In lieu of flowers please donate to a Seasons Hospice or the V Foundation.