William F. Dowdy, III, 69, died on June 28, 2012 after a battle with colon cancer. He was born and raised in New Bern, NC where he graduated from New Bern High School and subsequently attended East Carolina College. On January 1, 2001 he retired after a 36 year law enforcement career with the last 31 years being with the NC State Bureau of Investigation. He was a member of the 1969 First SBI Special Agent Academy. During his career with the SBI he served as a Special Agency in Rocky Mount, Greenville, Southern Pines and Raleigh and served in the capacities of Assistant Supervisor, Director of the Tri-County Interagency Drug Squad in Cumberland, Sampson and Harnett Counties; Supervisor of Governmental Investigations; Chief Investigator; Assistant Director for Special Investigations and Special Projects Coordinator. He was a Past President of the North Carolina Internal Affairs Investigators Association, Past President of the Southeastern Internal Affairs Investigators Association and Past Secretary-Treasurer of the National Internal Affairs Investigators Association. After his retirement, he worked part-time as an investigator with the Wake County District Attorneyâ??s office. In 2006 he was appointed as a public member of the State Bar Council and in 2009 he was appointed to the State Lottery Commission. He was a member of the Edenton Street United Methodist Church and was a member of the St. Johnâ??s Lodge No. 3, New Bern York Rite and Sudan Temple. He is survived by his son Bryan A. Dowdy of Raleigh, daughter Michele Dowdy Bailey of Louisburg and a sister, Harriet Marcus of Raleigh. He was predeceased by his wife, Jacqueline Smith Dowdy, who died in 1999. Visitation will be held Monday, July 2nd 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Edenton Street United Methodist Church, Raleigh, NC and the funeral will be Tuesday, July 3rd at 11:00am at the Edenton Street UMC. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers that contributions be made to the Edenton Street United Methodist Churchâ??s Doorstep Ministry.