Dr. Dotter

Dr. Billy Dale Dotter passed away on March 1, 2024 at the age of 98. He was born on October 22, 1925 and grew up in the dust bowl in the Oklahoma panhandle. He came of age storming the beach at Okinawa, Japan as a young U.S. Marine, during the final fierce battles of WW II in 1945.

When Dale returned home to Alva, he married his sweetheart, Alice Melton, and they helped his parents, Roscoe and Gladys Dotter, run Dotter's Cafe.

He entered medical school with his younger brother, Richard, at OU Medical School in1955, just 20 years after the first antibiotic, penicillin, came into use.  In 1961 he joined Dr. Claude H. Williams in his medical practice in Okeene Oklahoma, where he remained in the service of the community for 40 years as a physician and surgeon. Both Dale and Claude were strong and persistent advocates for improving rural healthcare in the state and became lifelong friends and respected colleagues.

Dr. Dotter is survived by his children, Scott, Ann (Shurtz), Mark, Debra (Blakley), and Jim; 14 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren, and several much-loved nieces and nephews.

Doc passed peacefully in his sleep, watched over by his dear friend, Dr Duane Lagan.

The funeral for Dr. Dotter is Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., at the Okeene Methodist Church.   Viewing will be Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.   Burial will follow the service on Saturday at Roselawn Cemetery with arrangements by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Okeene.   www.lanmanfuneralhome.com  Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.

May his memory be a blessing.

Memorials may be given to the Okeene Clinic or the Okeene Library through the funeral home.