William Ernst Doster

1941 - 2021

William Ernst (Bill) Doster passed away peacefully May 12, 2021, in the presence of his beloved wife of 56 years, Leslie. Bill was born in Buffalo, N.Y., on May 27, 1941, to Josephine and Ernst Doster. He left Buffalo to attend Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, graduating in 1963. There, he met Leslie, and they were married in 1965. Following his graduation from law school at the University of Michigan, the couple moved to the Orlando area where Bill began his legal career at the Anderson Rush firm. In 1969, former colleagues recruited Bill to join a new law firm with the aim of becoming the largest and best in Central Florida. They focused their practice on real estate transactions, development, and finance. Bill quickly established himself as an architect of the growing firm, which became Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor, and Reed.

Bill was integral to the growth of the firm, which eventually expanded to employ more than 100 attorneys. He was a champion of the firm's culture and held its lawyers accountable for maintaining principles centered on excellence in their work and focusing on the firm first, rather than individual achievement. He wore his love and pride for the firm on his sleeve for all to see, celebrating the accomplishments of its lawyers. Bill was a special mentor to several young lawyers at the firm and helped develop many outstanding attorneys. His career included development of the Central Florida Research Park, Crossroads Lake Buena Vista Village, numerous hotels, and Isleworth Country Club with Arnold Palmer. Bill also became a leader in the Central Florida business community, serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission of Winter Park and the Economic Development Council of Central Florida.

An avid golfer, Bill enjoyed his regular Saturday games with friends and competitions at various resorts with wives. His free time also included boating, fishing, and landscaping his masterpiece yard. Bill retired after 50 years of practice and focused on playing golf and croquet with Leslie as they split their time between homes in Winter Park and the North Carolina mountains.

In addition to Leslie, Bill is survived by his sister, Elsie Doster, Winter Park, two sons: William (Bill) Doster Jr., his wife, Michelle, and their daughter, Brooke, of Maitland, Fla., and Brian Doster, his wife, Kathleen, and their children, Molly and Brady, of Arlington, Va., sister-in-law Elizabeth Anderson and two nephews.

A private memorial service will be held on June 16. It will be broadcast on the internet by the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Shriners Hospitals or St. Jude Children's research would be appreciated.