William “Butch” Hencill Dooley, 79, Nokomis, died on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, surrounded by loved ones at his home.
Funeral services took place on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at South Fork Church in Nokomis. Burial will take place at Kettelkamp Cemetery in Nokomis with full military honors.
Mr. Dooley was born Feb. 10, 1947, in Pana. He was the son of Nelson and Florence (Engelman) Dooley. He graduated from Nokomis High School in 1965 then began working for his dad farming and trucking with Dooley Truck Service until he retired in 2010. He joined the Air National Guard as a firefighter in 1966 where he served over 22 years, retiring with a rank of senior master sergeant.
On March 31, 1968, he married Suzanne Kirkbride, with whom he shared 58 wonderful years, and she survives.
Mr. Dooley never knew a stranger and said strangers were just friends you hadn’t met yet. He enjoyed building and restoring vehicles and equipment. During his early years of marriage, he was active at South Fork Church. He served on the Nokomis School Board for 19 years.
In 1978, he earned his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying and taking others for plane rides for many years. He began an annual four-wheeling trip for family and friends that started in 1999 and continues to this day.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Michael (Jennifer) Dooley; son-in-law, Timothy (Sherry) Hoehn; seven grandchildren, Fallon (Mark) Sparks, Tyler (Maggie) Havera, Kyle (Maggie) Dooley, Trey Dooley, Kaneisha (Kanen) Riggs, Alexis (fiancé Zac) Hoehn and Peyton (Kelcie) Hoehn; ten great-grandchildren, Piper, Wren, Autumn, Lillian, Archer, Theo, Timothy, Josephine, Oliver and Riley; brother, James (Linda) Dooley; and many extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Tracy (Dooley) Hoehn; and brothers, Larry and Keith Dooley.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to South Fork Church or Shriner’s Children’s St. Louis.
Stiehl-Dawson Funeral home in Nokomis is assisting the family with arrangements.
