Mr. William Byron Dones

DONES, Mr. William Byron - Age 93, passed away Sunday, April 22, 2018 at his residence in Las Vegas, NV. Memorial Service 12:00 PM, Saturday, June 2, 2018 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1811 Seymour Ave., Father Phil Schmitter, officiating. Entombment in columbarium at Great Lakes National Cemetery, G-4400 Belford Rd, Holly, MI, Monday, June 4, 2018 at 2:00 PM. Mr. William Byron Dones more fondly known as “Bill” was born October 8, 1924 in Flint, Michigan, the son of William Dones Sr. and Camille (Dones) Robertson. He attended Clark Elementary School, Whittier Jr. High School and graduated from Flint Central High School, “Class of 1942.” Bill served in the United States Navy from 1943-1946 and was Honorably Discharged. He also attended Ferris State College, Big Rapids, MI and transferred to Howard University in Washington, DC. When he returned home, he married Delores “Peggy” Hobson, the love of his life on September 16, 1950. “Peggy” passed away in December of 2013. They were married for 63 years. Bill was the First African American Appraiser to work in the City of Flint Accessors Office. He also worked as the Director of Model Cities Development Corporation (MCDC). From there, he accepted the position of Department Manager of the local office of HUD (Housing & Urban Development). Finally Bill decided to transfer to Chicago, IL to accept the position of Auditor and then in 1993 he retired from HUD and started his own business. He called it “Appraise America”. Bill was an active member of St. James the Apostle Catholic Church in Las Vegas, NV where he served as a Greeter, Liturgy Reader, Usher and a member of The Nights St. Peter Claver. Bill and his late wife, Peggy loved to travel. They spent the winter months in Las Vegas, NV and the summer months in Flint, MI. Bill and his wife traveled extensively in the United States, Europe, the Caribbean and Thailand. He loved playing Bingo and the Slot Machines in Las Vegas, NV. Mr. William Byron Dones leaves to cherish his memory: devoted daughter, Denise “Weegee” Dones Prince of Las Vegas, NV; loving grandson, John Prince of Inglewood, CA; cousins, Edna, Laurette, Kenneth (Pamela) Finley, Raymond (Claudette) Finley, Buford Finley and Maria Williams; 2 sisters-in-law, Helen Hobson and Barbara Parker; brother-in-law, Reginald Hobson; nieces, Jenny Dones, Kay Thomas, Millie Roberts and Melinda (Sol) Wilson; nephews, Joe Roberts and M. Malik Manani; a host of other relatives and friends. Mr. Dones was preceded in death by his wife, Delores “Peggy” Dones; son, Michael William Dones; sister, Alice “AC” Thompson; brothers, Kenneth Dones and Joe Roberts. The family would like to express special thanks to Father Phil Schmitter, Helen Wilson, Karen Hinton, Andrea Hollins, Cathy Williams Sanders and the Knights of St. Peter Claver. And an extra special thanks to Denise Bridgewater.

Mr. William Byron Dones

October 8, 1924 - April 22, 2018