Dora A. McRaney
September 22, 1935 - May 9, 2011
Rogers, Arkansas
Dora A. McRaney, 75, of Rogers, Arkansas passed away Monday, May 9, 2011 at Mercy Hospital in
Rogers. She was born September 22, 1935 in Marienburg, Westpreussen (West Prussia), Germany to
Paul and Agathe Anhuth. Dora married William K. “Bill” McRaney on March 29, 1963 in Wittlich,
Germany during Bill’s U.S. Air Force tour of duty at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. God blessed
Bill and Dora with two children: Dorette, born in 1964 and William K. (“Bill”) McRaney, Jr. born in
1966. Dora proudly became a United States Citizen on May 1, 1970.
Dora worked as a secretary and receptionist in the late 1950s and early 1960s for the United States Air
Forces Europe. While working at Spangdahlem Air Base, Dora was commended many times by senior
officers. They described her as efficient, adaptable, quick, alert, charming, loyal, and as having a
“habitual smile.” They noted Dora as an excellent translator.
As many military families do, Bill and Dora moved several times over the years. They lived in
Rochester, New York; San Antonio, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Colorado Springs, Colorado;
Redlands, California; and Fairfax, Virginia, where Bill retired after his tour at the Pentagon. Bill and
Dora remained in Fairfax, when Bill began his second career working as an Engineer for Science
Applications International Corporation. During that time, Dora enjoyed many years working as a
Mother’s Day Out Teacher at Fairfax Circle Baptist Church where she and Bill also met many of their
lifelong friends.
Dora enjoyed gathering with friends to work on various craft projects, spending time with family,
cooking delicious meals, and spending vacation time with family and friends at the beach.
In 1995, Bill and Dora both retired and moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas where Bill was often found on
the golf course and Dora was found playing cards with a group of friends. Dora enjoyed meeting
newcomers through the Women’s Welcome Club of Hot Springs.
Sadly, Bill passed away in 1999. Dora eventually moved to Apple Blossom Independent Retirement
Community in Rogers, Arkansas.
Dora was a survivor. She survived the devastation of Germany in World War II and also survived
breast cancer in her later years.
Dora grew up near Marienburg Castle. She lived through numerous Allied bombing raids of
Marienburg during World War II. She, her mother, her brother George, and other family members
survived the Soviet invasion of Germany. They eventually escaped to West Germany where, after the
war, they were reunited with Dora’s father who had served in the German Army and been located in a
British POW Camp. Her family settled in Wittlich, West Germany.
Dora was a breast cancer survivor; she was diagnosed in 2009 and successfully completed surgery
and final treatments in 2010. During that time, she enjoyed the wonderful support of her family and
new friends she met at Apple Blossom.
Dora is survived by Dorette and Mark Taylor, of Rogers, Arkansas along with Bill and Karen
McRaney, of Allen, Texas. Dora also is survived by her seven grandchildren: Maria, Drew, John,
Jacob and Daniel Taylor of Rogers, Arkansas; and Hayden and Garrison McRaney of Allen, Texas.
Memorial Service will be held at 2:00PM Friday, May 13, 2011 at Chapel on the Creeks, with Pastor Hal
Graves officiating.
Rogers. She was born September 22, 1935 in Marienburg, Westpreussen (West Prussia), Germany to
Paul and Agathe Anhuth. Dora married William K. “Bill” McRaney on March 29, 1963 in Wittlich,
Germany during Bill’s U.S. Air Force tour of duty at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. God blessed
Bill and Dora with two children: Dorette, born in 1964 and William K. (“Bill”) McRaney, Jr. born in
1966. Dora proudly became a United States Citizen on May 1, 1970.
Dora worked as a secretary and receptionist in the late 1950s and early 1960s for the United States Air
Forces Europe. While working at Spangdahlem Air Base, Dora was commended many times by senior
officers. They described her as efficient, adaptable, quick, alert, charming, loyal, and as having a
“habitual smile.” They noted Dora as an excellent translator.
As many military families do, Bill and Dora moved several times over the years. They lived in
Rochester, New York; San Antonio, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Colorado Springs, Colorado;
Redlands, California; and Fairfax, Virginia, where Bill retired after his tour at the Pentagon. Bill and
Dora remained in Fairfax, when Bill began his second career working as an Engineer for Science
Applications International Corporation. During that time, Dora enjoyed many years working as a
Mother’s Day Out Teacher at Fairfax Circle Baptist Church where she and Bill also met many of their
lifelong friends.
Dora enjoyed gathering with friends to work on various craft projects, spending time with family,
cooking delicious meals, and spending vacation time with family and friends at the beach.
In 1995, Bill and Dora both retired and moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas where Bill was often found on
the golf course and Dora was found playing cards with a group of friends. Dora enjoyed meeting
newcomers through the Women’s Welcome Club of Hot Springs.
Sadly, Bill passed away in 1999. Dora eventually moved to Apple Blossom Independent Retirement
Community in Rogers, Arkansas.
Dora was a survivor. She survived the devastation of Germany in World War II and also survived
breast cancer in her later years.
Dora grew up near Marienburg Castle. She lived through numerous Allied bombing raids of
Marienburg during World War II. She, her mother, her brother George, and other family members
survived the Soviet invasion of Germany. They eventually escaped to West Germany where, after the
war, they were reunited with Dora’s father who had served in the German Army and been located in a
British POW Camp. Her family settled in Wittlich, West Germany.
Dora was a breast cancer survivor; she was diagnosed in 2009 and successfully completed surgery
and final treatments in 2010. During that time, she enjoyed the wonderful support of her family and
new friends she met at Apple Blossom.
Dora is survived by Dorette and Mark Taylor, of Rogers, Arkansas along with Bill and Karen
McRaney, of Allen, Texas. Dora also is survived by her seven grandchildren: Maria, Drew, John,
Jacob and Daniel Taylor of Rogers, Arkansas; and Hayden and Garrison McRaney of Allen, Texas.
Memorial Service will be held at 2:00PM Friday, May 13, 2011 at Chapel on the Creeks, with Pastor Hal
Graves officiating.
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