The life of Reverend Dr.William Henry Dodd was the second son born to William Henry Dodd Sr. and
Mamie Kate Smith-Dodd on February 20, 1945 in Sioux City IA.
The Dodd family moved to Omaha, NE in 1955 where William and Wilford entered into the Omaha Public school system. William attended Lothrop Elementary and Omaha Public High School. He was active and excelled in sports, earning his letters in wrestling, track, and football. Bill graduated from Omaha Central High School in 1963. William was awarded a football scholarship to attend the University of Wyoming. He later transferred to the University of Omaha to continue his education and football career. After college football eligibility, several professional football teams showed interest and he was drafted to play in the National Football League Kansas City Chiefs. Late in his first season he suffered a devastating knee injury that ended his football career.
Before graduating, William accepted a job at Men Job Corp in Lincoln, NE. Later he transferred to San Jose, CA, working at the Men Job Corp Center. While in California he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at San Jose State College. At the completion of his Bachelor’s Arts Degree he decided to return to Omaha NE to further pursue his educational goals. He attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha where he earned a Master of Science degree.
William Dodd accepted the position as Director of Vocational Education at Omaha Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC), where he met Bernice S. Dodd, the joy and love of his life.
On April 16, 1976 he united in Holy Matrimony to Bernice Stephens and to this union was born two children, Charod and Charese.
William and Bernice both valued higher education to the utmost and continued to pursue their educational goals. William obtained the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts - San Jose State College -
San Jose, CA
Master of Science - University of Nebraska at Omaha - Omaha, NE
Doctor of Education - University of Nebraska Lincoln, NE
Doctorate of Theology - Bethany Theological Seminary - Dothan, AL
Doctorate of Diversity - Bethany Theological Seminary - Dothan, AL
His career led him down many paths including the Omaha Riverfront Development, Urban Housing Foundation, private business enterprises including “SMOK’N Pit Barbeque Restaurant” and various educational institutions, namely UNO and Metropolitan Community College.
Williams’ other career assignments were: Vice President, Commonwealth Diversified Industries, Partner, Mainstream Financial Services,; Chairman of the Board/Board Member, Northside Reality, Investment, and Development Corporation.: Chairman/CEO, Mid American Development Corporation, President, Mid Com Distributors; Executive Director Bryant Center Community House,; Consultant, Pacific Training and Technical Assistance Corporation; Project Director-UNO; Vocational Supervisor-Omaha OIC (equivalent to Dean of Instruction position); Counselor, Basic Education Teacher (Job Corp); Faculty, (UNO and MCC); etc.
William’s community affiliations were: Omaha Jaycee; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.; Joslyn Art Museum; Urban League of Nebraska; NAACP; United Way of the Midlands; Omaha Coalition of the Homeless; Baptist Pastors and Ministry Conference Omaha; American Association Management; New Era State Baptist Convention ; American Baptist Churches of Nebraska; National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. etc.
Having confessed his belief in Christ at an early age, later William heeded the call to preach the gospel. On 1 December 1985, he preached his first sermon and was licensed to the Gospel Ministry by Rev. JC Wade, Sr. who also ordained him in 1988. While teaching at metropolitan Community College, in 1996, he was led to God to organize and pastor the Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church in Omaha and Lincoln, NE. Rev. Dodd ordained several sons into the gospel ministry during the pastorialship prior to retiring. Needless to say, Williams’ passions were many; the love of his wife and family, preaching and teaching.
At the time of his Death, William was the Director of Trio Programs (Student Retention Services) and continued his joy of educating students at Metropolitan Community College.
