February 21 1944 December 7 2022
Obituary Please share a memory of Walter to include in a keepsake book for family and friends. View Tribute Book Walter R. “Wally” Dawson, of Rolla, MO, passed away Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at the age of 78. He was born on February 21, 1944 in St. Louis, MO to the late Walter Dawson and Emma (Achs) Dawson. On November 23, 1974 he married Judy (Haynes) Dawson in St. Louis County, MO. In addition to his parents, Wally was also preceded in death by an aunt, Kate White. Wally Dawson was quite a football player-both at St. Mary’s High School in St. Louis and, also, at SMS in Springfield where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990. Wally enjoyed traveling. His two favorite destinations were Maui and Big Cedar Lodge near Branson. He also liked to fish, hunt, golf and watch sporting events. Wally and his wife, Judy, had season tickets to the Rams and Cardinals games when they lived in St. Louis. Wally had a long and satisfying career in the fire service. He began as a firefighter in Webster Groves, Missouri in 1969, and retired as a Fire Chief from West Overland, EMS and Fire Protection District in St. Louis County in 2005. He remained a staunch supporter of BackStoppers – an organization which provides financial support to surviving spouses and children of first responders killed in the line of duty. Wally (Big Dad) never met a stranger. His outgoing personality made him many friends and he was always the life of the party. Above all though, Wally was a family man. He was very proud of his wife of 48 years, his siblings, his in-laws, and many other relatives. He was especially proud of his daughter, Jenni, her husband, John, and his two granddaughters – Emma and Ellie. He couldn’t stop talking about the girls’ equestrian accomplishments! Wally will be missed by many. His surviving family includes: his wife, Judy Dawson of St. James, MO; a daughter, Jenni Durham and husband, John of Wildwood, MO; two granddaughters, Emma Durham and Ellie Durham, both of Wildwood, MO; two brothers, Bob Dawson and wife, Sharon of St. Louis, MO and Donald Dawson and wife, JoAnn of Silex, MO; and two sisters, Gerri Melanson and husband, Bill of South Port, NC and Nancy Dawson of St. Louis, MO. A memorial service for Wally Dawson will be conducted at 11:30 am on Monday, December 19, 2022 at the Null and Son Funeral Home in Rolla. A visitation for family and friends will be held prior to the service beginning at 10 am at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to BackStoppers. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Walter, please visit our floral store. Read more
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Walter R Wally Dawson February 21 1944 December 7 2022.
Death notice for the town of: Rolla, state: Missouri