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WALTER IRVIN DOZIER

Walter Irvin Dozier, 64, of Hayesville died Monday (Nov. 14, 2005) at home after an extended battle with prostate/bone cancer. Walter was born August 17, 1941 in Augusta, GA to the late Walter Irvin Dozier, Sr. and Emma Ruth Wren Dozier. He and his family were very active at the First Baptist Church. He graduated from Richmond Academy and attended Augusta College. Walt served four years in the United States Navy in California and Sangley Point, Philippines during the Vietnam War. His seaplane squadron patrolled the South China seas. He and his wife lived in Coronado, CA before returning to Augusta in 1965. Shortly thereafter, he was hired by Delta Airlines as an Aircraft Mechanic at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport. He lived in Fayetteville, GA nearly 30 years. In September 1994, Walt retired as a General Foreman with over 29 years of service. Later, he worked for a subsidiary of Delta Airlines where he traveled throughout the United States and Moscow, Russia. Walt was an honest, dedicated, loving husband and father who enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, and coaching little league sports. In 2001, he built a home in Hayesville on the Georgia/North Carolina border. His wife retired in 2003 and they made it their permanent home. He was a member of the Hiawassee, GA Lions Club, Masonic Lodge in Fayetteville, GA, and an active member of the Truett Memorial First Baptist Church in Hayesville.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Paulette Hammond Dozier; three sons, Scott Dozier and wife, Tracy of Greenville, SC, Todd Dozier and wife, Suzie of Newnan, GA, and Chris Dozier and wife, Dixie of Ludowici, GA; two sisters, Ruth Ann Buckner and Martha Tanner both of Augusta, GA; seven grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services at 2:00 PM Thursday (Nov. 17) in the Truett Memorial First Baptist Church with Rev. Johnny Foster and Denver Ledford officiating. Interment at the Laurel Hills Cemetery. Pallbearers are his three nephews, David Tanner, Stephen Tanner, and Alan Buckner; and friends, Mike Robinson, Verlin Ledford, and Les Grinage.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 Wednesday evening at the Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville where the body will be until placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the services.

Memorials may be made to the Truett Memorial First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 464 Hayesville, NC 28904 or to the American Cancer Society, Hayesville Chapter, P.O. Box 1193, Hayesville, NC 28904.

Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of all arrangements.

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