William Francis Dorey

William Francis "Bill" Dorey, 78, of Greenville, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2026. Born on December 9, 1947, at home in Bethel, North Carolina, Bill was the son of the late Francis Ware Dorey, originally of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Frances Olivia McLawhon Dorey of Bethel. In 1954, his family moved to Greenville, where he attended Greenville City Schools and graduated from J.H. Rose High School in 1966.

A dedicated educator, Bill began his career teaching biology at Ayden High School while completing his Bachelor of Science degree at East Carolina University in 1971. He went on to earn a Master of Arts in Education in 1985 and an Educational Specialist Degree in 1990. Over his 37-year tenure with Pitt County Schools, he served as teacher and assistant principal at Ayden-Grifton High School, principal of Grifton Elementary, and both assistant principal and principal of Farmville Middle School, retiring in 2006. He took great pride in the dedication and compassion his staff showed toward their students, whom he affectionately called "his kids."

An avid reader and lifelong student of the Bible, Bill conducted extensive research on the social effects of evolutionary theory. A longtime member of People's Baptist Church, he taught Sunday school and sang in the choir in his younger years. He cherished time with his family, enjoying boating, camping, and traveling throughout the United States and Canada, and later found relaxation in cultivating bonsai trees.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Marlene Sutton Dorey; his son, William Bryon Dorey, and daughter-in-law, Beverly Jones Dorey; and his cherished grandchildren, Gareth and Briley, all of Wilmington, North Carolina. He also leaves behind dear cousins and their families, along with special church friends and neighbors who remained close to him throughout his life.