William was born on Aug. 4, 1931, to James Presley and Della Leora (VanDyke) Dawson, in Moorhead, MN. He was the 8th of 10 children. He moved with his family to Montana, then to Idaho, where he grew up.
He enlisted in the Navy, and after basic training, returned to Kooskia, Idaho on a short leave. He married Lois Mae Pritchard in Yuma, AZ on May 8, 1951, on his way from Kooskia to San Diego; he was deployed a few days later, serving aboard an aircraft carrier as a gunner during the Korean war.
After his military service, he and his wife, with their new baby, moved to Fontana, then to Rialto, where he raised his family. He worked at Riverside Cement Co., and owned an auto parts yard. He enjoyed coaching Little League, taking river trips with his family, watching Nascar, participating in Nascar racing, and listening to Country music. After retirement, he relocated with his wife to Edmond, OK.
He is survived by his wife; his children Cheryl (Donn) Lipscomb, William C. Jr. (Jeanne), John H. (Joyce), and Sherri L; sibling, Delores Clifford; 10 grand children, and many great grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his son, James Donald, his parents, and siblings: Margaret/Marge Fordik, Evelyn A., John/Jack P., Francis C.,
James D., Howard E., Shirley M. Ward, Darlene Horton.
Graveside services and burial will be at the Gracelawn Cemetery.
William was born on Aug. 4, 1931, to James Presley and Della Leora (VanDyke) Dawson, in Moorhead, MN. He was the 8th of 10 children. He moved with his family to Montana, then to Idaho, where he grew up.
He enlisted in the Navy, and after basic training, returned to Kooskia, Idaho on a short leave. He married Lois Mae Pritchard in Yuma, AZ on May 8, 1951, on his way from Kooskia to San Diego; he was deployed a few days later, serving aboard an aircraft carrier as a gunner during the Korean war.
After his military service, he and his wife, with their new baby, moved to Fontana, then to Rialto, where he raised his family. He worked at Riverside Cement Co., and owned an auto parts yard. He enjoyed coaching Little League, taking river trips with his family, watching Nascar, participating in Nascar racing, and listening to Country music. After retirement, he relocated with his wife to Edmond, OK.
He is survived by his wife; his children Cheryl (Donn) Lipscomb, William C. Jr. (Jeanne), John H. (Joyce), and Sherri L; sibling, Delores Clifford; 10 grand children, and many great grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his son, James Donald, his parents, and siblings: Margaret/Marge Fordik, Evelyn A., John/Jack P., Francis C.,
James D., Howard E., Shirley M. Ward, Darlene Horton.
Graveside services and burial will be at the Gracelawn Cemetery.
Inscription
AN US NAVY
KOREA
Beloved parents
Together forever
Family Members
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Margaret Ellene "Marge" Dawson Fordik
1911–1958
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Evelyn A. "Clara" Dawson
1913–1927
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John Presley "Jack" Dawson
1916–1975
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Francis Charlette Dawson
1920–1923
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James Delbert Dawson
1921–1921
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Howard Edmund Dawson
1924–1989
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Shirley Mae "Sinola" Dawson Ward
1928–1990
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Dolores Irene Dawson Clifford
1934–2010
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Darlene E. Dawson Horton
1934–2001
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