S. Bill Doi

Doi, S. Bill Age 101. Born August 31, 1916, died May 16, 2018. Bill lived in Roseville. Survived by his 5 children: Peggy, David (Sue), Dede (Terry), Jon (Sharon) and Sandi (Rick); 11 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and 2 sisters, Iky (99 years) and Yoshio (95 years). Preceded in death by his wife, Peggie; twin daughters, Mary Louise & Sandra Mary; brothers, Jim and Susumi. Bill was born in Leland, WA and was valedictorian of his high school class. His desire to pursue art was interrupted in the spring of 1942 when he was imprisoned in the Tule Lake Internment Camp with thousands of other Japanese Americans. In late 1942 Bill enlisted in the US Army and went from Tule Lake to join the Military Intelligence School at Camp Savage and Fort Snelling and served until 1947. He asked his future wife, Peggie, to join him in MN, gaining her release from camp. They married in June 1943 and had 67 years of loving happiness until her death in 2011. After the army, Bill renewed his pursuit of art and received a BA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1950. He had a successful career in advertising, mentoring many young ad execs until he retired in 1983. After enduring the injustice of internment, Bill dedicated thousands of volunteer hours toward civil and human rights, working with local, state, national and international organizations to improve the lives of the oppressed and less fortunate and to fight for social justice. He was also a founder of the Minnesota Nikkei project, which offers support and social contact to older Japanese. Bill found time to travel with Peggie to 6 of the 7 continents. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and humanitarian. He will be deeply missed. Celebration of Life: Tuesday, May 22, 4:30 - 7:30 PM with time of sharing at 6 PM, at Roseville Memorial Chapel (2245 N. Hamline Ave. 651/631-2727). Memorial Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 AM, Wednesday, May 23, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church (2131 Fairview Ave. Roseville) followed by lunch. Military Funeral Honors at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to Little Hospice, Twin Cities JACL Scholarship Fund or Corpus Christi Catholic Church.