William D. Dougherty

March 8, 1935 – June 1, 2023

William "Bill" Dougherty, 88, entered his heavenly home Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Perryville, Missouri.

Bill was born March 8, 1935, in San Antonio, Texas to Raymond and Mabel (Mueller) Dougherty. Raised in San Antonio, he attended Concordia Austin, Texas for three years of high school and two years of college. His career plans changed when his pastor asked him to fill an unexpected vacancy at Mt. Olive Lutheran School in San Antonio. There he discovered that he enjoyed teaching. He received a bachelor's degree in education from Concordia Seward, Nebraska where he met Nancy Horst.

Bill received a call to Salem Lutheran School, married Nancy on August 10, 1958, in Norborne, Missouri and moved to Farrar, Missouri. Bill began his 36-year service in Farrar as a teacher and soon became principal. As principal, he continued teaching 7th and 8th grades and coaching. He furthered his education by obtaining a master's degree at Southeast Missouri State University. He had a passion for helping his students gain knowledge, skills, and strategies to succeed in the classroom and in sports including volleyball, softball, basketball, and the annual playday which consisted of track and field events. He loved sports, playing fast-pitch softball, dartball, and bowling throughout his life.

After retiring, he became a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville.

Bill is survived by his wife, Nancy, and daughters Carolyn (Tony) Friedrich, Linda (Jim) Bauwens, Candyce (Roy) Giesler, and Brenda (Brian) Etzold. Also surviving are grandchildren: Friedrich's Alison and Daniel; Bauwens' Kenny, Alyssa, and Joey; Giesler's Amanda, Melinda, and Montana; Etzold's Brandon, Andrew, Anthony, and Breanne. Great-grandchildren include William, Samuel, Theodore, Charles, Lucas, Benjamin, Maisie, Gabriel, Kynlee, Kash, Sadie, Cameron, Adrien, Neveah, Liam, Beckem, and Avery.

Predeceased by his parents; a brother, Sonny; and sister, Jean.

Visitation was on June 5, 2023, at Ford and Young Funeral Home in Perryville. Funeral service was on June 6, 2023, at Salem Lutheran Church in Farrar church with the Rev. Joseph Schlie officiating. Burial was at Salem Lutheran Cemetery in Farrar.

Memorials may be given to Salem Lutheran Church Capital Improvement Fund in honor of Mr. Dougherty's over 30 years of service to Salem Lutheran School.