William Pinkney Dortch Jr
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Oct 1st, 2015
- Death Date: Oct 1, 2015
- Save: Print this Obituary
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Biography: William Pinkney Dortch, Jr., 86, of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away on Thursday, October 1, 2015. He was born on October 30, 1928 in Little Rock, Arkansas to the late William Pinkney Dortch and Alice Knowles Dortch. He was a 1947 graduate of Little Rock Central High School and attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He was the 3rd generation of his family to operate the Marlsgate Plantation in Scott, Arkansas. He remained a lifelong farmer and also worked as a crop insurance adjuster. Having spent his entire life in the agricultural community, he served in many leadership roles and was frequently sought out for his counsel regarding matters relating to the industry. He was still active at the time of his death. He had numerous stories of flying with his friend Floyd Fulkerson. Bill and Floyd would take a drive every Saturday around Scott, Arkansas; which surely was the highpoint of each other?s week. He was selected Farmer of the Year in 1963 by the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Agricultural Stabilization Committee, a board member of the Cotton Producers Institute, president of the Pulaski County Farm Bureau and Arkansas Farm Representative for ?Partners for the Americas? in Costa Rica in 1970. He served as president of the farm cooperative, Scott Products; president of Dixie Gin Company; commissioner of the Baucum Levee Board; member of the Arkansas Basin Association; chairman of the Lonoke County Budget Committee and board member of the Farm and Ranch Club. He was active in many civic roles, which included the Democratic Central Committee, Justice of the Peace (Dortch Township-Lonoke County), chairman of the Lonoke County March of Dimes and board member of the Pulaski County American Red Cross. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is survived by his son, William Pinkney Dortch, IV and his wife, Katherine, of Little Rock, Arkansas; his daughter, Madalyn Toy Dortch of Scott, Arkansas; grandsons Will Dortch and his wife, Kadie, of Maumelle, Arkansas; Brian Sowell and his wife, Cristy, of Little Rock, Arkansas; and David Johnson and his wife, Bethany, and great-grandson, Carter of Scott, Arkansas. A private service will be held under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home at the Dortch Family Mausoleum at Oakland Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas. Memorials may be made to Catholic High School for Boys in Little Rock, Arkansas. Online register available at www.ruebelfuneralhome.com
We spent many happy days and nights at Marlsgate.
One of my fondest memories of Bill is him getting the calendar date book out week after week trying to encourage Wayne to set a date for our wedding!! How they loved to tease ease other!!!
In my 36 years of knowing Bill, he has always been a gentleman and a man of honor.
We were privileged to call him our friend!
Most Sincerely,
Cathy & Wayne Harris
We were saddened to learn of Bill's passing. I have many fond memories of him on Bearskin Lake, at Marlsgate, and over the years.
Please accept our deepest condolences for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Sincerely,
Justin Dortch Dorazio & family
Tracy King
We are deeply saddened by the news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
So sorry to hear about your father in law. I think of you often. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I know you have many happy memories.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. With Love, Monte & Anna Marie
So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers to the family. May GOD wrap his arms around you and the family in this time of need. Mr. Dortch was and kind and given man to my family while my father Jeff Maxwell worked on the farm in Scott.
So MADALYN and WILLIAM DORTCH IV, we are sending you our condolences you are in our thoughts and prayers.
So sad to hear of the passing of your father. I still remember the day I met "Pops" at Marlsgate when we were still in business school. May you find comfort in the memories of happier times spent with him. I'm sure you were a handful to him at times! Let the happy memories persist!
Our prayers and thoughts are with you in this difficult time.
May God's Love surround you and be in your hearts at this difficult time.
God Bless,
JC & Ruth Miller
I'm so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.
Shawn Hallman