William Ira Dotson

William Dotson was born March 5th, 1952 in Akron, Ohio to William and Cheryl Dotson; he passed away at age 70 on May 16th, 2022. He graduated from Garfield HS in 1970 and went on to major in Art at the University of Akron. Bill had a mind for hard work right from the beginning. At just 11 years old, he began his first job managing a paper route in the Firestone Park area, assisted by his younger brother Jim as they sped off to make deliveries. Over the next five years, he learned to manage his time and money, while enduring Ohio's unpredictable weather. Bill continued this work ethic through his next few jobs, and soon became an Anodizer at Lamson & Sessions aka R,B &W for nearly 10 years. After his layoff, he was employed by Goodyear Aerospace in 1983 and remained employed there until retirement in 2019. During that time, he held several positions from Anodizer to becoming a QA Inspector. He found this final position the most fulfilling but throughout this job and every that he had in his life he remained hard working, dependable and dedicated. While working was a constant in Bill's life, his true love story began at a young age when he met his future wife, Cindy.

Bill was a science enthusiast, so his sisters knew just who to recommend when Cindy, a Garfield student, needed to help pinning butterflies for the bug display in her 9th Biology class. Bill and Cindy became inseparable, spending as much time as they could together, so much so, that they even started working the same job in the evenings after school. Most nights, after work, this pair showed off their fiercely competitive nature and bonded playing games like Rummy late into the night. After high school, Bill took a lengthy trip all the way across Canada and the Rocky Mountains to British Columbia. During this time, Cindy traveled to Europe. Upon their return, they both knew they never wanted to be parted again. So, against all odds, in 1971, the high school sweethearts eloped and remained married for over 50 years. They had traveled many miles, but their greatest and most steadfast journey was that of their marriage, sharing their love of nature and bringing three beautiful children into the world.

Bill's love of nature showed in his green thumb, an avid gardener and happiest when he was outdoors; his huge gardens turned out bushels of produce. But Bill didn't just have an appetite for good food, he had an insatiable hunger for knowledge and an amazing ability to retain it all! His interests spanned from music, to science of all types, politics and religion, tinkering and experimenting, sci-fi, and one of his personal favorites, reading the cartoons and comics every night- without fail. Bill loved to talk and he had a strong sense of humor, and enjoyed bantering with his co-workers, family and friends while sharing his life's tales. He came with that same openness of spirit and heart to Christ and was baptized by his own sister, Diane, an ordained minister before his passing.

During these difficult times, there are so many special people to recognize for providing care and comfort to Bill in his time of need. Bill's family extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Olson and staff at Hartville CHC, Dr. M. Turakhia, Pulmonologist Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Mohammad, ICU Cleveland Clinic; Justin and staff- 5th floor AGMC, Tameisha and Alexandra from ICU, and many others. Their dedication and efforts on a daily basis were heroic and words cannot express the comforting effect they had on the family and Bill during this time. The friendship of Barry Henry sustained Bill through the difficult times and meant so much to him.

Bill will be greatly missed but never forgotten. He leaves behind his devoted wife, Cindy, daughter Elaine(Michael)Skeggs, William G.(Danielle)Dotson, and Sharon Mays. He also leaves his most loving brothers and sisters, Jim(Beth) Dotson, Rev. Diane Thatcher, John(Gina) Dotson, Dorothy Moser, nieces, nephews, and extended family. Preceded in death by sisters Denise Gunther and Donna Combs, brother-in-law Richard Thatcher, parents William and Cheryl, and three infant siblings. The family also thanks First EC Church for hosting arrangements.


The family will receive friends from 4:00 -7:00 PM on Thursday, June 2 at the Anthony Funeral Homes, Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S Main St in Akron. A memorial service will be held at 11AM Friday, June 3 at the First Evangelical Congregational Church, 369 E Woodsdale Ave, Akron, OH 44301. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

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