Augusta, GA – Mr. William T. “Bill” Doker, 79, entered into rest on Sunday, December 21, 2014.
A celebration of Bill's life and visitation will be held on Monday, December 29, 2014 at 10:00AM at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, 4921 Columbia Road, Grovetown, Ga. followed by a funeral mass at 11:00AM. Following at 3:00PM, Bill will be put to rest at the Nancy Hart Memorial Park in Hartwell, Ga., alongside his late wife, Jonette. Graveside services will be conducted by Barry Phillips, family member and Deacon of Scared Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Hartwell, Ga.
Bill graduated from Hartwell High School in 1954 and enlisted in the United States Air Force in
1956 with the specialty of working on Radio Relay Equipment. He was stationed in Boston, California, Okinawa and Iceland. Bill was awarded the Air force Longevity Service Award, Good Conduct Medal and was honorably discharged in October 1962.
Following his service in the Air Force, Bill worked for the US Naval Space Surveillance Field Station on Ft. Stewart in Hinesville, Ga. and left to join the WJBF TV-Channel 6 family in Augusta, Ga. in October 1966.
Bill worked in all phases of broadcast engineering, including the Chief Engineer's position at WJBF which he held until 1992. Though he retired, he continued to work for WJBF in a part-time capacity until his death.
When Bill began his career at WJBF in 1966, television was using vacuum tubes and he helped bring WJBF through all phases of technological transition into the current digital age.
Bill met his late wife, Jonette Andrews Steed, of 31 years in Hartwell, Ga. shortly before he finished his service in the Air Force. They were married in August 1962. Bill was always a very devoted husband to Jonette and devoted father to her two children, Pam Palmer and Richard Steed. Bill lost his beautiful wife, Jonette, in 1993 after an eight-year battle with cancer.
Bill was a member of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Grovetown, Ga.
Member and Past Commander of American Legion Post 63
Member of German Friendship Club
Member of Elks Lodge 205
USA Dance Music Director and DJ for over 10 years.
Part of the Ballroom in Motion family in Augusta for over 18 years. Bill won numerous awards in Ballroom Dance Competition in his age group, as well as in younger age groups. Teena Marie Watson was Bill's talented ballroom dance instructor at Ballroom in Motion, competition partner, encourager and dear friend.
Bill met a loving and devoted companion of 17 years in Helen McCarthy. Bill and Helen have been constant companions, dance partners, had much fun traveling together over the years. They enjoyed their last dance on September 5, 2014.
Bill was constantly helping volunteering his time, helping others, and always on the go. He rarely rested unless it was time to enjoy watching a professional football game.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Pam Palmer and her husband Gary Palmer, and pet grandchildren: Makita, Baxter and Cooper all of Weddington, NC; his son Richard Steed of Martinez, Ga.; Sister: Patsy Morehead of Hartwell, Ga.; Brothers: Sidney Doker and Wife, Thelma Doker, of Hartwell, Ga.; Paul Doker and wife, Doris, of Danielsville, Ga.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers: Colonel Tom Doker, Mike Doker, Dean Bryson, Malcolm Sellers, Tyler Phillips and Willie McCarthy.
If so desired memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2607 Commons Boulevard, Augusta, GA, 30909.
Please refer to the two Internet Links below. These two articles were recently posted on the web about Bill Doker:
http://www.wjbf.com/story/27686673/television-park-engineering-legend-dies
http://www.nbc26.tv/story/27687354/remembering-william-bill-doker