Rev. William Dobbs, Clergy Assistant to the Bishop
The Rev. Dr. William D. Dobbs was born in Bad Axe, Mich., on September 17, 1945, to Willard and Verna Dobbs. He grew up in Cass City where he graduated from high school in 1963. Bill was active in district and conference MYF activities while in the Port Huron District. He attended Michigan State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree. After teaching public school music in Potterville for four years, he felt a call from God and began his pastoral ministry in the West Michigan Conference while attending Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary where he earned his Master of Divinity in 1976. Pastoral appointments included West Mendon, Lansing Calvary, Ludington United, East Lansing University and Holland First. Dobbs earned his Doctor of Ministry at Ashland Theological Seminary in 2003 and was appointed as a Superintendent in the Heartland District beginning in 2005. Dobbs became the Clergy Assistant in 2010.
Dobbs married Janice Faye Sbresny in 1963. They have four grown children and six grandchildren, who range in age from 22 to 12. Their youngest child is the Rev. DeAnn Dobbs, pastor of Indian River UMC in the Grand Traverse district. Bill and Janice are avid RV’ers and golfers in their spare time. They live in Mt. Pleasant, Mich.