Bill Dorman III

John William Dorman III                                      San Antonio, Texas

John William Dorman III (Bill), age 79, peacefully went to heaven in the arms of his Lord and Savior on August 27, 2020, at Vitas Hospice in San Antonio, Texas. Bill was born March 17, 1941, in Baltimore, Maryland, to the late Martha Hollifield Dorman and John William Dorman Jr. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Linda Laird, and his granddaughter, Cora McDonald. 

Bill lived his formative years in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from McDonough School in June of 1959. During his high school years, Bill enjoyed working as a lifeguard during the summer months in Ocean City, Maryland. He attended Johns Hopkins University and then served in the U.S. Army as an Operating Room Technician. During his time in the military, Bill was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio. Texas soon became his home and his love of bluebonnets, Mexican food, and the Texas Hill Country began. After his military service, Bill returned to school and graduated from University of Houston with a BA in History. He was a scholar and had a lifelong passion for learning.

One of his greatest joys, and proudest achievements, was attending Dallas Theological Seminary and becoming the pastor of Austin Bible Church. Bill knew Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic and taught many classes through the years. He was a seminary professor and a Family Life & Marriage Counselor at Dayspring Fellowship in Austin. While there, he would travel to Camp Buckner in Burnet, Texas and teach the counselors about the grace of God. He ultimately taught with Providence Theological Seminary in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He had a twinkle in his eye when he was teaching; it brought him great joy.

“Papa” taught his children many things, but the greatest was about the gift of eternal life through salvation, a gift from God. He enjoyed model trains, sailing and could fix “rig” anything. He loved and pursued the Lord his whole life and studied scriptures with fervor. One of his favorite passages was 1 Peter 1:3. It reads, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 

Bill Dorman is survived by his children: daughter, Melody Dorman; son, Patrick Dorman (Eva); son, Troy Dorman (Brooke); daughter, Bilinda Dorman Soto; daughter, Holly Dorman McDonald (Todd); and daughter, Anne Dorman. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Abby and Sarah Johnson; Brenna and Zeke Dorman; Clara, Aubree, Brynn and Everett Dorman; Ethan, Luke and Emily Soto; (Cora), Tessa and Callum McDonald. Bill is also survived by his brother, Dr. Walter Dorman (Lesley); his sister, Martha Dorman Clark; and niece and nephews.

A private service will be held at Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas on September 9, 2020. Military Honors will be performed by the Texas Honor Guard and Pastor Nelson Lee will officiate. Pallbearers will be Patrick Dorman, Troy Dorman, Holly Dorman McDonald, Ethan Soto, and Luke Soto. 

Heritage Oaks Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements for John William Dorman III. Online condolences can be made at www.heritageoaksmortuary.com. Condolences can also be emailed to melody.k.dorman@gmail.com In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dallas Theological Seminary, PO Box 734215, Dallas, TX 75373-4215 or to Dayspring Fellowship, 5500 Avenue G, Austin, Texas 78751