William Francis "Bill" Dorey

1947 - 2026

William Francis "Bill" Dorey Greenville - William "Bill" Francis Dorey, 78, of Greenville, NC, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2026.

The family will receive friends on Friday, March 13, 2026, from 10 to 11 AM at People's Baptist Church, Greenville, NC. A funeral service will immediately follow at the church and interment at Pinewood Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Bill was born December 9,1947, at home in Bethel, NC. He is the son of the late Francis Ware Dorey, originally of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Frances Olivia McLawhon Dorey of Bethel. In 1954, his family decided to make their home in Greenville, NC.

Bill attended Greenville City Schools and graduated from J.H. Rose High School in 1966 with a desire to teach biology. In 1969, while studying as an undergraduate at East Carolina University, he was offered a teaching position on a B Certificate at Ayden High School (which later became Ayden-Grifton High School). He accepted the challenge and taught biology there while completing his Batchelor of Science Degree in 1971. After teaching a few years, Bill decided he could be most useful in administration. Furthering his education at East Carolina University, he earned a Master of Arts in Education in 1985 and completed his Educational Specialist Degree in 1990.

During his career with Pitt County Schools spanning 37 years, Bill served as teacher and assistant principal of Ayden-Grifton High School, principal of Grifton Elementary, and both assistant and principal of Farmville Middle School, retiring in 2006. He was proud of the staff at each school for their dedication and genuine compassion for their students, or as he called them, "his kids".

Bill was an avid reader and researcher and loved studying his Bible. He did extensive research on the social effects of evolutionary theory and wanted to publish. Bill was a long-time member of People's Baptist Church and in his younger years taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. He leaves behind special church friends and neighbors along with his cousins and their families who were very dear to him throughout the years and supportive during his illness.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Marlene Sutton Dorey; a beloved son, William Bryon Dorey and his wife, Beverly Jones Dorey, along with two wonderful grandchildren; Gareth and Briley, all of Wilmington, NC. He loved anything family related including boating, camping and traveling throughout the USA and Canada. Cultivating Bonsai became a relaxing hobby in his later years.

The family is most grateful for the care Mr. Dorey received from his long-time primary physician, Dr. Lee Pippin, the staff of CenterWell Home Health, Gentiva Hospice In-Home, and The Service League of Greenville Hospice House. A special thanks to family member, Gayle Stancill, for her unwavering love and support over the past few years.

Memorials may be made to Greenville Christian Academy Endowment Fund, 1621 SW Greenville Boulevard, Greenville, NC, 27834.

Arrangements by Wilkerson Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences available at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com.