William M. “Bill” Dawson, 94, St. Paul, former longtime Erie resident, died Thursday, June 30, 2011, at Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul.

 He was born Nov. 23, 1916, in rural St. Paul, to Jonas and Pauline Holtz Dawson. As a young boy, he grew up in the St. Paul and Galesburg areas.

During World War II, he served in the United States Army and was stationed in Alaska and other posts. For nearly 28 years, he was employed by the City of Erie as a stationary diesel engines operator, retiring in 1981.

He was a member of the First Christian Church in Erie.

He and Oda Mary Newberry were married Jan. 21, 1942, in Erie. She preceded him in death June 26, 2010.

Survivors include four daughters, Mary Jane Whelan, rural St. Paul, Billie Jones, Olathe, Wanda Cooper, Deer Park, Texas, Shirley Green, Erie; 14 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-drandchildren.

 He was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Michelle Harmon.

 Graveside services will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 5, at Lakeview Cemetery near Erie. The family will receive friends from 3-5 p.m., Monday at Prairie Mission Retirement Village Chapel in St. Paul.

 Memorials are suggested to Faith’s Hope Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.