William DAWSON

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DAWSON: William Ernest Dawson, born September 6, 1927, passed away May 17, 2014, in the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Son of Ernest and Kathleen Dawson. Bill was born in the Brandon General Hospital and spent his entire life in Brandon. He attended Central School, Earl Haig Junior High School and took many courses in auto electronics. He was a hard worker all his life, looking after people’s furnaces at a very young age, helping deliver milk with Slim Speakman on Saturdays and Sundays and every day throughout the summers for many years with a horse drawn wagon. His first job at auto electronics was with S.H. Brown in the 100 block on 12th Street, for Sharpe’s Auto when it changed hands and later owned by Fort Ignition where Napa Auto Parts is today. He became an official speedometer tester for the Brandon area for many years. He was an original recycler and always burned firewood for extra heat and built his own special log cutter. When he was a teenager, he belonged to the Young People’s group at First Church United. He was affiliated with Central Community for many years and looked after the canteen for the dances where he met his special friend, Angele Vandenbusch who got him to dance and he then learned all the old time dances. He was always helping people with repairing motors, engines, carburetors and magnetos and he got the Reesor’s Clock going again after many years of it being out of service. It now stands on the corner of 9th Street and Rosser Avenue. When the Fire Department had trouble getting their old horse drawn fire engine to pump water, he just happened to have the right part and got it working again. He helped many people with their antique engines and was made an Honorary Life Member of the Pioneer Power and Equipment Club which he was very proud of. He rode his 1921 Model T truck in the Santa Claus parades and also the summer parades each year and was proud of it as it had been driven by his father Ernest Dawson for the Park’s Board many years ago. Many people all over Manitoba came regularly to get help with their tractors, machines, cars, etc. and he usually was able to help them. Bill never had children of his own so enjoyed the children in his neighborhood, his friend’s children and especially enjoyed his nieces and nephews and their extended families. He loved animals and regularly fed the birds, squirrels and rabbits that came to his feeders. Left to mourn are his sister Jean Hawkins (Russ); nephews, Douglas Hawkins (Rosemarie), Bruce Hawkins (Elaine), Jim Hawkins (Petchie), Rob Hawkins (Vicki); nieces, Kathy Beever (Dwayne Erickson), Karen Beever,and several great-nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Kathleen Dawson, his sister Joyce Beever (Ken), and his special friend Angele Vandenbusch. A memorial tea was held at Central Community Centre, 529-4th Street on Friday afternoon May 23rd. Rev. Richard Wittmeier conducted the services both at the Brandon Cemetery and at the Community Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre or the Kidney Foundation.Farewell to our dear brother, uncle and very special friend to so many.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 31, 2014