William (Bill) Thomas Dorsey

With heavy hearts we announce that William (Bill) Thomas Dorsey passed away on Monday, October 14th, 2024 at the age of 66. Bill was born December 12, 1957 in Springdale, Arkansas to Bill and Norma. He grew up and spent most of his youth in Springdale, but briefly lived in Virginia as well. He began high school at Springdale High School and graduated from Castlewood High School in Virginia. Bill went on to become a welder and journeyman electrician, joining the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 700. Bill worked on Arkansas Nuclear One in Russellville, AR and another nuclear plant in Illinois. During his time in Illinois, he also owned a bar that he ran with a family member. For the greater part of Bill’s career, he was a technical support engineer in energy management for Novar Controls. Novar Controls develops technology for managing and supporting HVAC, lighting, and refrigeration systems for businesses. Bill supported the Wal-Mart Canadian relationship with Novar through the ‘90s and early ‘00s. In addition to these key career achievements, Bill was in construction and sales. In 1992, Bill was introduced to his soon to be wife, Karen, through her sister, Gail, over Arbor Day weekend. Bill and Gail met at the “vo-tech” (trade school) they both attended. Karen lived in Iowa, and as their relationship grew, she and their son Micheal moved to Springdale to live with Bill. Bill & Karen were married May 15, 1993. By September ‘93 they had their first daughter Hollie and in ‘95 their second daughter, Kara. Bill was known for his big heart, mischievous pranks, magic, jokes, and adventurous ideas. As a young adult, Bill could be found riding bulls at the Rodeo of the Ozarks. Bill loved football - his love for the Arkansas Razorbacks never wavered, and the Dallas Cowboys. During the Christmas season, Bill dressed in a Santa costume for family and extended friends. He loved the joy Santa visits brought to children. He also loved to dive, snorkel, camp, ride four wheelers, barbecue, and gather with friends. In 2012, Bill was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Originally, he was given 3-6 months of life left. Bill fought through chemo and radiation, shrinking his cancer from 65% down to 6% in his left lung. The treatments were extremely taxing on him, on top of working his body hard in his younger years through his career. He had numerous other surgeries prior to his cancer diagnosis. Through the last year (2023) he had fallen and fractured his hip. Bill healed, but his hip ached and he struggled to walk. He was admitted to a rehab home for physical therapy to rebuild leg strength and improve his mobility to walk. During late summer of 2024, it was discovered that his cancer had grown and his oncologists began testing to look into the new activity. Bill also developed pneumonia, which worsened over time, making breathing very difficult. Late Friday night October 11th, he was admitted to the ICU in Springdale because he was struggling to breathe. He started to have extreme abdominal pain as well. The ICU uncovered that he had an ulcer that burst and was affecting his surrounding organs, starting kidney failure. X-rays of his chest showed his left lung filled with fluid and affected by his cancer. It was decided to move forward with the care of hospice to keep him comfortable and not in pain. Monday evening Bill arrived at the Circle of Life in Springdale. He arrived safely and his immediate family gathered to spend time with him. Bill spent about two hours with his family before he passed around 8:25pm. It was peaceful. Bill was preceded in death by his father, Bill Dorsey, and his mother, Norma Wiseman. He is survived by his wife, Karen Dorsey, his three children, Michael, Hollie, and Kara, his grandchildren, Jondavid, Mia, Thomas, Miranda and soon to be Selah. A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 18, 2024 at Sisco Funeral Chapel in Springdale, AR at 11am. Flowers may be sent to 705 W Meadow Ave Springdale, AR and a gofundme has been set up for donations: https://gofund.me/cd74762b Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com

William (Bill) Thomas Dorsey

December 12, 1957 - October 14, 2024