Dr. William A. "Billy" Dodd

Dr. William A. "Billy" Dodd -MACON - Dr. William A. "Billy" Dodd, 87, passed away Wednesday, August 20, 2008. Funeral Services will be held at 4P.M. Friday, August 22, 2008 at the chapel of Hart's Mortuary on Cherry Street with the Reverend Anna Reid officiating. The family will greet friends on Friday at Hart's between 3:00 to 4:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to United Hospice, 2484 Ingleside Avenue, Building B, Macon, GA 31204. -Dr. Dodd was born on March 20, 1921 in Macon, GA to Alma McMichael Dodd and John Sample Dodd. He graduated from Lanier High School with honors, was Captain of the band, played football, and broke the world record in the 100 and 120 yard dash. Dr. Dodd graduated from Mercer University, having a BS with honors, and was President of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He started his own Band - BAD Billy A. Dodd Jazz Band, and was a member of the National Honor Fraternity, Blue Key '43. -Dr. Dodd graduated from the Medical College of Georgia in 1947 where he was President of the Phi Rho Medical Fraternity. He served his internship at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, organized the 48th Brigade Medical Services, and retired as Lt. Colonel in the Georgia National Guard. He practiced Internal Medicine in Dublin, Wrightsville and Macon, GA. Dr. Dodd founded the American Medical Director's Association Health Care for Elder Citizens and was honored for his establishing the organization by President Clinton. He retired from practice in 2002. Dr. Dodd was a member of Riverside United Methodist Church. -Dr. Dodd played nationally and internationally and was known and loved by established musicians all over the world. He organized and directed The World's Greatest Jazz Band. The band was organized to play at the Grand Theater in Macon. The band included Milton Hinton and Trummy Young. He was invited to play at The International Jazz Festival in Frankfurt, Germany. He supported struggling musicians here in Macon, Dublin, Atlanta, and Savannah. He is recognized here in Macon for his concerts on New Year's Eve playing for First Night Macon. Dr. Dodd and Skitch Henderson received Life Time Awards for keeping Jazz alive. Dr. Dodd dedicated his life to his love of Macon, its people and music. -Dr. Dodd is survived by his loving wife, Claire Houser Dodd of Macon; daughter, Carol Porter of Dublin; son, Bill Dodd, Jr. of Macon; step-daughter, Emily (Mike) Griffin of Fort Valley; special friend loved as a daughter, Pat Cecil of Fort Valley; step-grandchildren, Denver Turner of Savannah, GA and Eli Turner of Perry, GA. -Hart's Mortuary and Crematory has charge of arrangements. Dr. William Dodd