William Edward Doll, 95, of Coldwater, passed away on Saturday January 2, 2016, in Kalamazoo, after a short illness.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 11:00 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Coldwater with Very Rev. Mark Vyverman officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. Military Honors will be presented by the Coldwater American Legion, Post #52, Drill Team. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 5, 2016 from 2-4 & 6-8:00 PM, with the Rosary to begin at 7:00 PM, at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Born October 7, 1920 in Lansing, MI to Edward and Leta (Moinet) Doll, Mr. Doll was one of eight children. He led a long and fulfilling life, living through the Great Depression, graduating from Coldwater High School in 1939 and attending Michigan State University. Bill left college early to enlist in the US Navy during World War II, serving in the Atlantic.
Bill married Joan Mead on January 4, 1947. They celebrated 62 years together and raised seven children, she preceded him in death on June 24, 2009.
Mr. Doll worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 35 years until his retirement in 1983. An avid golfer, Mr. Doll was a longtime member of the Coldwater Country Club where he recorded a hole in one. He played golf until this past summer when, at 94, a broken ankle kept him off the links. An avid sports fan, he loved to watch the MSU Spartans and Detroit Tigers and was thrilled to attend a Tigers World Series Game in 2012. He was a skilled bridge player and continued to play bridge once or twice a week. Mr. Doll was a lifetime parishioner of St. Charles Catholic Church, where he attended mass most every Sunday until his death. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as financial secretary for 44 years. The real joy for Mr. Doll was his family. He was proud of his heritage; his grandfather Benedict emigrated to the U.S. From Bavaria, Germany in 1883 and eventually settled in Coldwater where he became owner of the Benedict Doll Brewery, which operated until it was forced to close at the onset of prohibition. He was even more proud of the children that he and Joan raised over the years. He was happy when spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and over the past few years enjoyed following them on Facebook and ‘T’ gram on his iPad.

He is survived by seven children, Theresa(Carl)Swidorski of Albany, NY, Robert(Christine)Doll of Coldwater, Michael(Carol)Doll of Naperville, IL, William(Wendy)Doll of San Francisco, CA, Elizabeth Doll of Batavia, IL, Jayne(Timothy)Hill of Chicago, IL, Gretchen(James)Rabelhofer of Spring Hill, TN; sisters, Betty Warkoczeski, Joyce Worthington, and Barbara Craydon; 12 grandchildren Jamison, William, Sarah, Benjamin, Bethany, Amelia, Luke, Elyse, Matthew, Emma, Rachel, Julianna and three great grandchildren Talan, Liam, and Evelyn. He was preceded in death by his wife Joan, sisters Margaret DeWolf, Pauline Daniels and brothers Robert and James Doll.
Memorials may be directed to St. Charles School or the Branch Area Food Pantry. www.dutcherfh.com.