William E. Dorsey, 87, of Redfield, SD died Monday, August 16, 2010 at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield.

His memorial service will be Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Redfield.

Reverend Stephen Perry will officiate.

Cremains burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery with military rites.

In lieu of flowers, Bill's family would like memorials directed to the Redfield School Music Department.

www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Bill was born April 1, 1923 in Dickinson, ND to William and Leona (Pfenninger) Dorsey. The family moved to Frankfort, SD where Bill attended high school. He served in the United States Army during WWII. Bill married Mavis Marie Anderson in Highmore in 1960. He was a resident of Redfield for nearly seventy years. He owned and operated the Ben Franklin Store on Redfield's Main Street for over fifty years, where he served as a dedicated and concerned retailer, even rebuilding the store after it was destroyed by the fire in 1984.

He served on the board of directors of the South Dakota Retailers association and in 1985 was named "Retailer of the Year." He served on the United States Small Business administration's National Advisory Council. He also served as a member of the Ben Franklin Regional advisory Council and was a South Dakota Highway Commissioner. He was past president of the South Dakota American Heart Association. At the time of his death he was president of the tri-county Good Samaritan board.

Always involved and interested in politics, Bill was a Spink County Republican Central Committeeman and a delegate to GOP national Conventions in 1956 and 1988. He was commander of the Redfield American Legion and was a director of the "National Fly the Flag Crusade."

Bill was a proud member of the "Mason-Dixon Four," a musical quartet, and the Harry Eisele Orchestra, both of which performed nationally and throughout the Upper Midwest. He was also an active member of the United Methodist Church Choir and the Shriners Yelduz Chanters. His passion for music culminated in his 1997 induction into the Dakota Musicians Hall of Fame.

Bill is survived by his loving and devoted wife of fifty years Mavis, their children: John (Lisa) Dorsey of Rapid City, SD; Mary (Mark) Streed of Eagan, MN; and Roger (Polly Martin) Dorsey of Rhinelander, WI; seven grandchildren: Jackson Dorsey, Christina Rasanan, David, Sarah and John Streed, Forrest and Grace Dorsey and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lynn and his sister Mildred.

Bill's was a full life, dedicated to family and service to his community and others. Bill will be greatly missed. His warmth, sense of humor and quick smile brightened many lives.