William "Bill" Roger Dodd

William “Bill” Roger Dodd was born March 15, 1934 to John Alton and Maudie Dodd in Laurel, MS. He passed from this life on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at Forrest General Hospital at the age of 91. He was with his loving family when he passed. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Alton and Maudie Dodd; wife Myrna Nell Jolly Dodd; brothers John Alton Dodd, Jr., and Dennis Hugh Dodd; and older sister Alice Garside. He is survived by his loving sons, David and Steve, Steve’s sweetheart, Tracie Walters, her grandchildren Sophie and Bubba Phillips (whom he dearly loved), and his younger sister Deanne Oliver. He graduated from George S. Gardiner High School May 30, 1952. He attended Mississippi State College and graduated from Mississippi State College January 28, 1956. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and was a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon and Tau Beta Pi. After graduating, he taught one semester at Mississippi State College while pursuing a master’s degree. After accepting a position at Masonite Corporation in June of 1956, he returned home to Laurel, resumed his romance with a local beauty he met at Ole Miss, and finally wed the lovely Myrna Nell Jolly, the love of his life on June 2, 1957. They were blessed with two sons, David Alton Dodd born one year after their marriage, followed by Stephen Neil Dodd five years later. Sadly, Myrna passed away in 2009 after 52 years of marriage. His long and productive career with Masonite Corporation lasted for the next forty-one-and-one-half years. He also received a patent #6132656 for the “consolidated cellulosic product apparatus and steam injection methods of making the same.” After retiring “officially” from Masonite in 1997, he continued working as a consultant on and off for the next 25 years for Masonite. He might have retired, but never quit. After his second career as a consultant, he turned his attention to family. He loved doing yard work, fishing, and being the caretaker of his clan. He was raised in West Laurel, living on 13th Avenue close to the old cotton gin (now 5th Street). Along with his family, he attended and learned of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at West Laurel Baptist Church. In his later years, attendance may have not been stellar, but his belief and love of God never faltered. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Memory Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Memory Chapel followed by graveside services at Lake Park Hills Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Allen Hill, David Clapp, Trey Crumpton, Greg Smith, Mike Chancellor and Bubba Phillips. To view or sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

William "Bill" Roger Dodd

March 15, 1934 - February 4, 2026