Doyle Ray Coley, who is deceased, is being honored tonight by his grandson Chris Ritchie. Doyle Coley was born in the Antioch community of Hot Springs County. He received his draft notice while he was a senior at Friendship High School and served in the US Army during World War II. His awards include the Purple Heart Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with four bronze service stars.

On Christmas Eve 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, he volunteered for a reconnaissance mission. During this mission, he and two other soldiers encountered a German Panzer tank painted white to blend with the snow. He was hit by shrapnel in his chest, face, right arm, hand, and stomach. On Christmas Day, he awoke among the bodies of other American soldiers because his wounds appeared fatal. After attracting the attention of a nurse, he underwent emergency surgery and spent the next two years recovering in hospitals. He learned about toughness and perseverance during this time.

As a disabled veteran, he returned home and dedicated his life to serving his community. He served two terms as Hot Spring County Treasurer and held positions on numerous boards. These included the Bismarck School District Board of Education, the Kimsey Water Board of Directors, the Central Telephone Cooperative, the New DeRoche Volunteer Fire Department, the New DeRoche Ambulance Service, and the Senior Adult Center. He was also a member of the Board of Governors of the Hot Spring County Memorial Hospital and actively involved with the Little League organization for 40 years.

In 1988, his community recognized his contributions by naming the ballparks and Community Center after him. In 2004, he received the Meritorious Service Award from the Little League World Congress, which was particularly meaningful to him.