Ware Shoals – William Leon Dodson, 87, of 40 Green Acres Drive, Ware Shoals, SC, died June 25, 2012, at Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital in Greenville, SC.

Born March 18, 1925, in Ware Shoals, he was the son of the late Raymond and Furnida Martin Dodson. He was a lifelong member and former deacon of First Baptist Church of Ware Shoals.

He was a member and past president of the Ware Shoals Lions Club, a member of the Ware Shoals Community Foundation, and a past member of the Greenwood City/County Planning Commission. He retired from State Farm Insurance Company after 37 years as an agent.

Mr. Dodson was an Army veteran and recipient of two purple hearts for wounds sustained in World War II.Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Betty Hoard Dodson, of the home; a sister, Joyce Dodson Malone; a son, William L. Dodson, Jr and his wife, Susan of Greenville; two daughters, Betty Anne Dodson Black and her husband, Bryan of Easley; and Beverly Dodson Dozier and her husband, Robert of Atlanta, GA; and seven grandchildren: Virginia, Susannah, Paul Bryan, Walker, Rob, Will, and Eliza. He was predeceased by a sister, Bernice Dodson Jones.

Funeral services will be held 4:00 Thursday at First Baptist Church, Ware Shoals, with Reverend Leon Jones officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 before the service at the church. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens with military honors. Online condolences may be made at www.ParkerWhitePruitt.com