William Dawson

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William Dawson, born on December 24, 1944, in Rember, South Carolina to the late Wallace Roland Dawson, Sr. and Nettie Baldwin Dawson, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2024.
William enlisted in the military and embarked on a distinguished career. He received the Decorations: 10/S bar for his overseas deployment, the Air Medal for an act of heroism, and the National Defense Service Medal for serving honorably in a national emergency. His service in Vietnam was recognized with both the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. After finishing his military service, he was honorably discharged as Sergeant E6.
Beyond his military service, William pursued various interests and professions. In 1970, he obtained his real estate license, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to success. Additionally, William worked two jobs when he came out of the service at Costa's Ice Cream company in Woodbridge, NJ then entered trucking.
However, it was in his own trucking business that William truly made his mark. With determination and hard work, he built a successful enterprise that served the community for many years. His dedication to his work and admiration of all who knew him.
In 2016, William retired from Wakefern Food Corp (Shoprite) Elizabeth, NJ, leaving behind a legacy of service, integrity, and kindness. He will be remembered fondly by his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.
William found joy in the simple pleasures of life, especially spending time outdoors in his yard, planting, gardening, and working on his truck. He cherished his family dearly and was deeply devoted to his late wife, Earnestine Dawson, whom he married on December 28, 1968. From their union, they were blessed with three sons: Michael, Mark, Bryce and one daughter, Leslie Steve whom they lovingly adopted. William's legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his three sons: Michael of Monroe, NJ; Mark of Freehold, NJ and Bryce of Maryland and one daughter Leslie Steve of Long Branch NJ, 9 grandchildren Anna Dawson, Kaycee Clark (Keith), Jaylin Dawson, Kylie Dawson, Gianna Dawson, Jada Dawson, Jeriah Steve, Nevaeh Steve and Carrie Steve and 4 great grandchildren Lucciana, Christiana, Chris Jr Rivera and Marcel-Xavier Steve, as well as his surviving sisters Rosa Lee Diggs (late Eleazer) of Rembert, SC; Willie Mae Williams-Callaway (late Peter) of Fayetteville, GA; Theola (Fee) Richardson (late Jimmy) of Rocky Mount, NC. He was preceded in death by his brother, Wallace Roland Dawson of Rember, SC and sister, Ann Dawson-August (Henry) of Rembert, SC. Surviving sister-in-law Irene Hunter (Mack) of Brooklyn, NY; brother-in-law Nathaniel McCleod I (late Evelyn) sister-in-law Shirley Hatfield of Sumter, SC and the late Celestine Johnson (John) of Baltimore, Maryland and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.