William “Bill” Austin Dodder Jr., 88, a devoted servant of Jesus Christ, loving husband, faithful father, pastor, and spiritual leader, went home to be with the Lord on January 30, 2026, surrounded by his beloved family.
Born on April 15, 1937, in Redlands, California, to William A. Dodder Sr. and Naomi Gregory Dodder. On June 19, 1955, he married the love of his life, Patricia Jane Ryden, beginning a seventy year-long marriage centered on faith, devotion, and service to the Lord.
Bill attended Manitou High School before serving honorably in the United States Air Force. He later pursued higher education at Colorado State University and answered God’s calling to ministry by completing his theological studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Bill lived by his guiding conviction to be “uniquely you and intensely spiritual,” dedicating every season of his life to glorifying God. While providing for his family as a skilled home builder in Colorado Springs, he faithfully served as pastor to multiple churches across Texas and Colorado. He was the founding pastor of Vista Grande Baptist Church and Woodmen Valley Chapel, where his preaching, leadership, and pastoral care helped nurture generations of believers. His ministry was marked by a deep love for Scripture, a heart for discipleship, and an extraordinary passion for evangelism.
In his later years, Bill’s faith carried him beyond local ministry into global missions. He supported and advanced the work of High Flight, Cru, and Every Home for Christ, committed to spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
His missionary spirit led him to extraordinary journeys: searching Mount Ararat in pursuit of Noah’s Ark, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, carrying Bibles into East Germany, riding camels near the pyramids of Egypt, walking the Great Wall of China, and ministering across Africa. In Ethiopia, he helped establish a medical and veterinary clinic, reflecting Christ’s compassion through tangible service.
A special hobby of Bill’s was buying and selling exotic vehicles and racing up Pikes Peak any chance he got! Bill also loved the outdoor life of Colorado and the mountain communities. From down-hill skiing, local marathons, motorcycle riding, hiking in the Westcliffe area, Bill invited friends and family to appreciate the challenge and beauty of God’s creation.
Above all earthly callings, Bill cherished his family as a sacred blessing from God. He is survived by his devoted wife, Patricia J. Dodder, and his children: Deborah A. (Dodder) Smith (Doug), William “Skeet” A. Dodder III (Janie), Richard C. Dodder (April), and Jonathan A. Dodder (Chandra).
He was a beloved grandfather to Angela Schertle (Charlie), Jennifer Murai (Jun), Austin Dodder (Kristen), Beau Smith (Ashlynn), Thomas Dodder, Samantha Wolf (Rick), Mark Smith (Jessica), Joshua Dodder, Khara Dodder, Spencer Dodder (Jessica), Evan Dodder, Jesse Dodder, Piper Peterson (Lars), Hailey Dodder, Ashley Dodder, and Scott Hutchison, and a proud great-grandfather to twenty-three precious great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Sondra Dodder; nephew, Chris Dodder (Kim); and niece, Heather (Dodder) West (Mike).
Preceding him in death were his parents, William A. Dodder Sr. and Naomi Gregory Seifert; his brother, Greg Dodder; his daughter, Kimberli Wildenstein; and his nephew, Grant Dodder.
Bill’s life was a testimony of unwavering faith, courageous obedience, and wholehearted devotion to God. He ran his race well and now rejoices in the presence of his Savior, hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23)
His legacy of faith, prayer, leadership, and love for the Gospel will continue to shape his family, church, friends, and all whose lives he touched until the day they meet again in eternity.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Woodmen Valley Chapel, Stone Chapel, 290 E Woodmen Rd, Colorado Springs, CO, 80919.
I’m so sorry for your loss. What an amazing Godly man. Heaven gained a saint. Lots of prayers,
Laura
Bill ministered to my wife and I at Vista Grande in 1974-1976, while I was stationed at Ft Carson. In 1975, our home church licensed me to the ministry, and Bill took the initiative to invest his life in mine. He trained me in several areas, allowed me to teach, do evangelism, but mostly shared his wisdom and insight with me. Much of what he gave me, served me throughout my ministry. He encouraged me to go to seminary (I graduated from Southwestern BTS). Tina and I thank God for Bill and his wife, and their friendship and kindness, while we were in the Springs. Our first years of marriage were blessed by our Pastor, a special friend, and mentor.
We thank God for blessing us through Bill and Patty. Our prayers are with all of his family and friends!
Patty and family, we are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
I cherish many memories of Bill. I still recall words he spoke over 50 years ago that profoundly impacted my thinking. I remember his leadership within a large and close-knit family, a family I deeply admire.
I remember when he started a church in his home. I remember a Rockrimmon chinchilla barn on cold winter days, and watching that small beginning grow into a church with multiple campuses around the city, still drawing thousands in weekly attendance today. I remember him helping our family during times of trouble.
Over the years, I remember countless acts of kindness. I recall letters of recommendation and participating in witness interviews for security background checks. I even remember him asking me to try and purchase a Ferrari for him when I was on a trip to Italy. I spent significant time on the phone attempting to find an English-speaking contact, but ultimately discovered that they would not violate their contracts with American Ferrari dealerships. I regret not being able to fulfill that request for Bill. I remember a life of adventure, where he pursued everything he set his mind to. I remember a world traveler and his quest for Noah’s Ark. I remember a life that truly made a difference and impacted so many.
I remember.
God bless the Dodder family, and we pray for your comfort during this time.
Sincerest condolences and thanksgiving for the life lived and shared by Bill Dodder and family! Knowing this family intertwined with mine has been a privilege and deep joy throughout the many years!
My heart and sympathies are with each of you, my blessed extended family! My joy is factually knowing Bill Dodder’s is back to his best self and again rejoicing in his love of Lord Jesus, face to face! His rejoicing and love are tangible and to be shared amount us with thanksgiving and love for one another.
Prayers for the hearts of family!
Love you
Kim
What an incredible man, an incredible legacy you leave, Bill! Your family and grand children will remember you for years…you touched my life! Thank you for your faithful service to our Lord. Your authenticity in the way you served Christ was always so refreshing way back in the early days of Woodmen Valley Chapel! May our God of comfort be with you Patti and all the family!
I’m so sorry for your loss. What an amazing legacy he leaves through his beautiful family and the many people whose lives he touched in ministry. And his work lives on through the churches and ministries that he helped to establish. He has been a blessing to many 💕
Bill Dodder was my grandfather Greg’s brother and therefore I always called him “Uncle Bill”. Despite his vast sphere of influence spanning several ministry organizations, many contemporaries, and his sprawling family tree, Bill still found time to care about me. That’s really incredible when you think about it. Even with all the fullness of life, he took the time and made the effort to have a personal relationship with his brother’s grandson. Not just on the surface or in word, but in real action. Several times when I was distressed (often by my own making) Bill and his wonderful wife Patty stepped into help. Giving freely of themselves despite my poor self destructive behavior. Bill loved Jesus. None of us are perfect of course but Bill was tenacious in his pursuit of submission to the Lords will. The blessings and favor will resonate through his family for generations. You don’t have to look far because this servants heart is apparent all through Bill and Pats family and extended family. Too many times to mention here, so many of them have been there for me. While there are many great attributes to remember about Bill and many to lessons to learn from his life, for me the most impactful to me is what He did with what the Lord gave him. To me he emulated what it means, biblically, to Shepard a family. Not just his family, but also the communities in which God placed him. I think that is really important. Maybe more now than ever before. I won’t forget that and I will not waste that inspiration. I will it consider it a job well done if I can even hold a candle to the Dodder patriarchs. Thank you Jesus that You defeated death and that this is only goodbye for now. See ya there Uncle Bill!
As I sit here trying to sort through all the memories I have of Bill, I’m reminded of many wonderful years that started at youth group at Vista Grande Baptist going on ski trips and just how much fun and laughter with him at the helm to funding that he started Woodmen Valley Chapel and loving that he began a new church as no other pastor touched in the way Biil preached, so personal and heartfelt. I remember He and Patty joining our family in Panama City Beach in Florida where we had so much fun paragliding and jet skiing in the day and making homemade ice cream in the evening. I’ll never forget how Bill saved my Dad and what a difference it made for my family. We’ve shared good times and bad times, but through it all there was love and respect like any family. He truly lived his best life and had a great love of people and met them where they were. I will miss you and the legacy you leave for your family to continue. Rest in Peace!
Bill Dodder was truly an amazing man. He helped me many times along my journey. I met him in 1975 when I was in the 8th grade. He was our Pastor at Vista Grande Baptist Church. Later he was my pastor at Woodmen Valley Chapel. I started going there when it was just a double wide trailer in the trees just off of Woodmen Road. I enjoyed going on ski trips with him and other church members. I enjoyed going on rides in some of his exotic cars. The “black widow” and a yellow Ferrari were two of the most memorable cars he took me for a spin in. He married me and my first wife. I wish I would have followed his advice and thought that through a little better. I learned a lot about the real estate business and home building from him. Thanks in part to what he shared I have stayed in the home building business was for 27 + years now. I owe him (and his family) a big thank you for the role he played in helping to shape my life. He will be sorely missed. I was told many years ago that in life we should always try to do cool things with cool people. Bill Dodder – and his family – definitely meet the cool people part and I definitely did some cool things with him and them. And for that, I am very thankful… actually for that I am both thankful and blessed.
Sincere condolences to your family. My parents and I began attending Woodmen Valley Chapel on the opening day in the Stone Chapel . That was 1983. We had searched for a church for 5 years. Pastor Dodder’s teaching and guidance was the reason we stayed – and never left Woodmen! What a legacy Bill has left. His belief in Christ was evident in all that he did. I pray for peace and comfort to you all.
Pastor Bill was a kind and wise man. I attended his chuch plant, Cheyenne Mountain Chapel, for a while. He was still doing God’s work many years after WVC and VGB.
I am sorry for the deep loss to his family and those who knew him well. Heaven has gained another. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Life well lived and a lasting legacy in the family he led and values he passed on. God bless.
Patty and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Still feeling the loss of my father I am very emotional. I remember when we first moved to town in 1974, Bill welcomed our family with open arms. Very soon after we joined the church he took us on a ski trip. He took me up on the chair lift for my very first time and coached me through learning the basics of skiing. He was a great teacher and could move you more than any I had experienced before. He gave me a love for reading my bible and being committed to walking my faith. He loved life to the fullest and made others want to experience that same exuberance for life. He was there for our family when we really needed him. I will forever be grateful for the influence he had on my whole family. He will be truly missed and fondly remembered. I know he is rejoicing with the Father today. God bless your family. Love to all.
Bill, while often self-doubting and quite humbly human, lived on this side of heaven with a recognizable spirit in service to Jesus Christ. His kindness, safe non-judgmental presence, compassion and empathy for lost and broken strangers, unwavering generosity where a need arose and his unwavering loyal love for friends and family were a model for us to steer by on our own journeys. Particularly Bill loved Patty whom he adores now eternally as he vowed to do before God when they were kids long ago.
Bill would be the first to confess his own doubts and human difficulties. Yet when with him one could clearly see that Bill’s servant’s heart and demonstrations of grace and virtuous character authenticated his profession of faith in Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He is home now and I will rejoice to be with him again.
Ron & Inez Robinson
Psalm 16…. David says ; The Godly people in the land are my true heros I take pleasure in them! Bill was a man I took pleasure in.
Patty, Liz and I (with Athletes in Action in Indianapolis) send our love and condolences to you and all your family. I met Bill back in the early 2000’s and it was amazing how you both poured into my early ministry life. Trips out to see you were always a treat, staying in your home a blessing, and I always came home with more heart knowledge about our Lord and Savior Jesus. Bill impacted so many, and especially a group of men that I despite our busy lives and distance, I consider dear friends and ministry partners. Bill was a connector, and we and so many are all the richer because of this. Our prayers are with you as you navigate your earthly loss, fully understanding you know he is fully alive and well with Jesus, the reward of his and our faith. We love you and are with you in this time. Shawn & Liz Keith