Lester Dean Dawdy

Lester Dean Dawdy, 85, of rural White Hall passed away Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, at his home. He was born Dec. 22, 1939, in Hillview, the son of Walter M. and Martha V. Allen Dawdy. Lester's father, Walter, passed away when Lester was five years old. Martha later married Lester Patton. Lester and Martha raised Lester Dean together. Lester married Thelma D. Lorton, June 5, 1960, in Hillview. Surviving is wife, Thelma of White Hall; sons, Walter, Lester Scott and Paul Dawdy all of White Hall; brother, Larry (Toni) Patton of Walkerville; and sister, Virginia (William) Harris of Roodhouse. Lester was a member of the Hillview Baptist Church and Winchester American Legion. He was a retired Air Force veteran. Following his 20 years in the Air Force, he was employed at Olin Corporation in Alton until retirement. Lester enjoyed being outdoors and farming. Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, at the Hillview Baptist Church with interment in the Pine Tree Cemetery near Patterson. Visitation will be held Thursday from 10:00 am until time of the service. Memorials are suggested to the Hillview Baptist Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Daws Family Funeral Home in Roodhouse is overseeing the arrangements.