William Norman Veale, Sr.

William Norman Veale, Sr., of Dothan, passed away at his home on Monday, August 8, 2022 at the age of 81.

A celebration of his life will be held at 3 pm on Sunday, August 14, 2022 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Lynn Nesbitt and Dr. David Saliba officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Sunday from 2-3 pm. In honor of Bill's service to his country, military honors will be rendered at 1 pm on Sunday at Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to First United Methodist Church, 1380 W. Main St., Dothan, AL 36301 or to the Dothan Area Botanical Gardens, 5130 Headland Ave., Dothan, AL 36303.

Bill was born at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL the son of Dr. Norman and Martha Veale. He attended high school at UMS in Mobile where he was Valedictorian and a National Merit Scholar. He then received an appointment to the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He graduated from the University of Alabama and was accepted to UAB Medical School. He decided to enter the US Air Force and served for over 40 years in active duty and as an Air Force Reservist. Bill had tours in Germany and Desert Storm and retired as Squadron Commander at Maxwell Air Force Base as a Lt. Colonel.

Bill returned to Dothan after active duty and began a career as an insurance agent with New York Life for 50 years along with multiple awards. Always civic minded, Bill served as President of the Dothan Kiwanis Club and President of the Dothan Area Boy Scout Council and helped his own son, William, earn Eagle Scout.

A devoted usher at First United Methodist Church, he was always ready to greet you with his bombastic smile. He had a kind heart, and was always ready to help anyone in need. An avid hunter, he was an expert on WWII memorabilia and various munitions. Bill’s hobbies included tinkering in his yard, cultivating his plants, church rummage sales, gun shows, and Alabama Football. 

Bill is preceded in death by his brother, Robert (Jean) Veale of Atlanta, GA, who passed away last fall.

Survivors include his wife, Vivian Veale; his daughter, Cyndi (Todd) Watson of Montgomery, AL; his son, Dr. William (Rachael) Veale of Montgomery, AL; his two brothers, Dr. Charles (Nancy) Veale of Auburn, AL and Dr. George (Mary Alice) Veale of Dothan, AL; his precious grandchildren, Taylor Watson, Justin Watson, Camilla Veale, Will Veale, and Jess Veale; his precious great grandchildren, Shep Watson and Vivian Watson; his brothers-in-law, Jack (Betty) Ehlenberg and Roy Ehlenberg; and several nieces and nephews.

Robert Byrd of Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home (334) 983-6604 www.SunsetMemorialPark.com

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