William Joseph Buzz Dozier, Iii

William Joseph Buzz Dozier III August 31, 1928 – November 24, 2005 William Joseph Dozier III, age 77, passed away Thursday, November 24, 2005 at Scott and White Hospital in Temple, TX. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM Thursday, December 1, at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church will Rev. Tom Robbins and Rev. Tom Parrish officiating. Internment in Rosemound Cemetery will follow the service. Born August 31, 1928, in Waco to William Joseph Dozier Jr. and Jane Hall Dozier, William quickly became known in life as “Buzz”. A gifted athlete in both baseball and football at Waco High School, Buzz not only played on the Tigers State Co-Championship team of 1945 and the State Quarter Finalist team of 1946, but his pitching prowess for the Tigers baseball team also earned him the honor of being named to the All State Nine. Catching the attention of several major league scouts, Buzz chose not to accept a football/baseball scholarship to TCU, but rather, signed a big league baseball contract with the Washington Senators of the American League. In August of 1947, at the age of eighteen, he became a member of the same team as his boyhood hero, Sid Hudson. A few days later, Buzz stood on the pitcher’s mound in Yankee Stadium facing the legendary Joe DiMaggio. Returning to Waco in 1948 after his first full season, Buzz met his future wife, Janet Joyce Albritton, in the registration line at Baylor University. They were married January 1, 1949. A son, William Joseph Dozier IV, was born to them February 1, 1950 and a daughter, Cynthia Carolyn Dozier, followed July 21, 1954. After his baseball career, Buzz enjoyed 37 years as a Manufacturer’s Representative in the clothing industry. A member of the Southwestern Men’s and Boys Apparel Club for many years, Buzz was also a charter showroom representative at the Dallas Apparel Mart. Buzz retired from Donmoor, Inc. in 1991 at the age of 63. Honored to be a member of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, Buzz was also a long time member of Austin Avenue United Methodist Church and the Forum Sunday School class. An avid hunter, fisherman, golfer and sports fan, Buzz greatly enjoyed the company of his good friends, Jack Van Zandt of Waco, TX and James Higgins of Hereford, TX. Buzz also held a special love for his farms and his close companion, “Happy GoodDog”, a beautiful Australian Shepherd. Buzz was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dr. J.O. Hall and Monte Jackson Hall; his parents, William Joseph Dozier Jr. and Jane Hall Dozier; his son, William Joseph Dozier IV; and his brother, James Hall Dozier. Buzz is survived by his wife of 56 years, Janet Joyce Dozier; a daughter, Cynthia Dozier Lambert; son-in-law, Paul E. Lambert; two grandsons, William Benjamin and Peter Joseph Lambert, all of South Hadley, MA; sister-in-law, Phyllis Dozier of College Station, TX; two nephews, Jan Hall Dozier and his wife, Georgia, of College Station, TX and Clay Dozier, also of College Station, TX; and a niece, Kelly Jane Dozier of Spring, TX. Memorial donations may be made to Scott and White Hematology and Oncology Clinic in Temple and Austin Avenue United Methodist Church in Waco. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey