 He was ordained to the priesthood in Rome on March 19, 1937.Following his return to Virginia in 1937, Dozier served as a curate at St. Vincent's Church in Newport News until 1941, when he was transferred to St. Joseph's Church in Petersburg.He was diocesan director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith (1945-1953),then transferred to Sacred Heart Church in Danville until 1954 and afterwards pastor of Christ the King Church in Norfolk (1954-1971).