Billy D. Dover Sr.

Billy D. Dover Sr., 86, of Grand Chain, died at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 17, 2024, at his home, with his family by his side.

He was born on June 15, 1937, in Grand Chain. He was a lifelong brick layer. Billy, along with his father and three brothers, owned and operated Dover’s Masonry for many years. 

He was a life member of the Beggs-Gurley VFW Post No. 5222 in Vienna. Mr. Dover was a U.S. Army veteran who served in France. On returning to the United States, he was assigned over the 5th Army Blue Printing and Duplicating Division. 

He and his wife, Connie, owned and operated numerous businesses in Southern Illinois. 

He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. He loved playing golf, pool and motocycle riding. He was an avid fisherman and spent the winters crappie fishing in Florida.

Mr. Dover is survived by one son, Bill Dover Jr. (Sam) of Grand Chain; two daughters, Deana Dover of Grand Chain and Debra Sue Bard of Paducah, Ky.; three grandchildren, Jason and Jeffrey Lee and Hailey Anderson; five great-grandchildren, Autumn, Emett and Aubree Lee, Maverick and Isilee Anderson; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Connie June Cato Dover; his parents, Dewey Sr. and Flora Ann Murphy Dover; three sisters, Ella Smoot, Elizabeth Taylor and Alice Inman; and three brothers, Raymond, Dewey Jr. and James Dover.

Funeral services honoring the life of Mr. Billy D. Dover Sr. were at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, at Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak. The Rev. Kenneth Capps officiated.

Interment was at the Cypress Cemetery with full military honors accorded by the U.S. Army burial detail team and area veterans.

To leave an online message for the family, visit www.wilsonfuneralhome1928.com. 

Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak was in charge of arrangements.