Wednesday, July 2, 2014 3:38 pm

Baylous “ Bill” William Proctor, age 83, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at White Oak Manor in Shelby. Born in Hartsville SC on July 14, 1930 he was the son of the late Melvin Melroy and Mabel Ferguson Daniels. Bill was loved by many and will be remembered by hundreds for his years of involvement in sports at Dover Mill village and the Shelby City Park. Bill started coaching around 1951 with the Dover-Lattimore youth football league with his lifelong friend, Hoyt Bailey. He continued to coach for over fifty years. Often he coached three teams a year, one for each sports season. Bill always said he couldn't teach Sunday School, but felt he could be a teacher and a good influence on the field. It was rare that whenever he went out that he did not run into someone that he had coached. Bill was honored many times for his years of volunteer work. He was selected as the Cleveland County Sports Fan of the Year and was inducted in 1990 to the Cleveland County Sports Hall of Fame. In 2001 he was awarded a Special Achievement by the Shelby City Park and Recreation for his fifty plus years of Volunteer service to the youth of Cleveland County. The Volunteer of the Year Award is now given in his name and honor. In 2002 he was presented the Foothills Merry-Go-Round Honor Award for Exemplary Achievement in Youth sports by the Shelby City Council. In 2011 the National League Field at the City Park where Bill coached for many years was renamed the Bill Proctor Field. Bill retired from coaching in 2001 due to his failing health. As much as Bill loved coaching, his time spent with his family and friends on Dover Mill village was more important than anything. Bill worked for Dover Mill for over 40 years and retired in 1993 as the Assistant Personnel Director. He and Dovie raised their children on the village. Bill was instrumental in organizing many activities that took place on the village such as trips to Atlanta and Carowinds, July 4th celebrations, kite-flying contests, and always some type of ballgame. In 2011 Bill was honored for his work with the youth of the village at the Dover-Ora Mill reunion. In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by his step-father who helped raise him, Dan Daniels; a sister, Juanita McCraw and her husband, James; and a brother, Melvin Proctor.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Dovie Scism Proctor; two sons, Danny Proctor and wife Linda, and Robbie Proctor; a daughter, Mitzi P. Josey and husband Kyle; a sister, Catherine Bowen and husband Harvey; treasured grandchildren, Billy, Heather and husband Santo; great-grandchildren, Hunter, Nate and Zane; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday July 3, 2014 at Dover Baptist Church at 4:00 p.m. with Dr. Ervin Price officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00p.m., an hour before the service.

The family would like to thank Cleveland County Hospice for their support during Bill’s illness. A very special thank you and love goes to Jennifer Oaks and Catherine Hord for the special care given to Bill during his illness. They are truly God’s angels on this earth.

Memorials can be made to Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby NC 28150

ion, Dover Baptist Church 1501 Polkville Road, Shelby NC 28150 or  Friends of the Park Fund,  PO Box 207 Shelby NC 28151.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Proctor.