William D. Lancaster

Dr. William D. Lancaster passed away on April 8, 2015 at the age of 92. He was the son of the Late Paul and Gertrude Lancaster of McLemoresville, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his wife, Christine H. Lancaster, of 68 years; son, William Jr., and daughter, Janet L. Parris; sisters, Jane Carter and Elizabeth Colvett and brothers Mark, Sam, Jack and Tom Lancaster.

During 30 years of service to his country, Dr. Lancaster served in the U.S. Army 7th Div., Pacific Theater with his military service ending following the completion of the Southern Okinawa campaign. Following the war, he completed coursework to graduate high school from his hospital bed, attended Memphis State University and received his O.D. degree from Southern College of Optometry. He worked in private practice, the Mountain Home Veterans Hospital, and in U.S. Army Hospitals during his career. He also continued to serve his country as liaison for the American Optometric Association and the VA Hospital Association.

He is survived by his children, John William Lancaster Billie, Jean Willis Elton, Paul Lancaster Gena, and his sister Sylvia Powell. Grandchildren: Bryan Lancaster Dana, Wendy Sutherland Steve, Julie Brooks, Amy Terry Douglas, Jenny Jones Aaron and Stanley. Great Grandchildren: Jonathan and Alayna Lancaster; Christopher, Caileigh and Connor Brooks; Aidan, Conor and Rowan Terry; Mia Ledford, Abby and Zane Jones, Christopher Willis, and Emily Zalacain.

While attending college, Dr. Lancaster was Chaplain of Omega Delta Fraternity, a founding member and Deacon of the Church of Christ in Johnson City, TN. Dr. Lancaster was a member of the Church of Christ after relocating to Dothan AL.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 12, 2015 at the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Charles Goldsmith officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1-2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital www.stjude.org or Wounded Warrior Project www.helpwwp.org.