William Allen “Chief” Dorning, age 89, of Leoma, TN passed away Friday, June 6, 2025, at Southern TN Regional Health System in Lawrenceburg, TN. He was a native of Harvest, AL, former Tennessee Highway Patrolman and Saint Joseph Police Officer, retired Lawrence County Sheriff serving from 1994 through 2006, and a member of New Prospect Baptist Church. He was a member of the Tennessee Sheriff’s Association and American Legion Post 146. Mr. Dorning served his country honorably in the United States Air Force.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Irving and Clarice Steelman Dorning; wife, Patty Hughey Dorning; daughter, Angie Dorning Johnson; brothers, Irving Dorning, and Kenneth Ray “Ken” Dorning; sisters, Joan Dorning, Helen Dorning Hudson, and Sue Kinsey Boswell.
He is survived by two daughters, Cindy Dorning of Franklin, TN and Christie Dorning White (Donnie) of Ethridge, TN; one son, John Dorning (Guinn) of Lawrenceburg, TN; grandchildren, Kelli Gartner (Chris) of Port St. Lucie, FL, Will Hutton (Jennifer) of Lawrenceburg, TN, Ben Hutton (Kelly) of Nolensville, TN, Lauren White Arrington (Brian) of Nashville, TN, Luke White (Julia) of Ethridge, TN, Catie Dorning Crews (Brady) of Lawrenceburg, TN, Carli Dorning Clark (Jake) of Lawrenceburg, TN, Sophie Dorning of Nashville, TN; great-grandchildren, Jack Ryan Carpentier, Alyssa Sisemore, Halle Hutton, Harper Hutton, Griffin Hutton, Bodie Hutton, Russell Hutton, Bette White, Tatum White, Beckham Arrington, Claire Arrington, Finn Crews, Liam Crews, Cole Crews, Ellie Clark, Jolee Clark; brother, Jerry Dorning (Karen); sister, Janet Mick of Huntsville, TN. Those serving as pallbearers are Will Hutton, Ben Hutton, Luke White, Jack Ryan Carpentier, Brady Crews, Brian Arrington, and Jake Clark, Jake Dorning, and Mitchell Dorning.
Arrangements are being handled by Neal Funeral Home, 231 N. Military Avenue, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Neal Funeral Home and 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at Neal Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at Neal Funeral Home at 1:00 PM Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Interment will follow at Leoma Cemetery in Leoma, TN with full military honors. The family requests memorials be made to Kid’s Place Child Advocacy.
