Obituary of William Robert Dawson

CUYAHOGA FALLS - William Robert Dawson, 70, passed away September 9, 2012. He was born in Akron on August 31, 1942 and lived most of his life in Stow. Bill is a veteran of the US Army, serving as a paratrooper in the Vietnam war, and a member of the Stow VFW Post 4738.  Bill was a police officer in Kent during the Kent State shootings and later joined the Stow Police Department. He retired from the SPD in 1989 and worked at Fox Den Golf Course in Stow until last year. Bill enjoyed golfing, playing cards, trivia and reading, especially Louis L’Amour western novels. He was an avid Cleveland Browns fan and loved John Wayne movies.  Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his four grandchildren, loved his family and was a loyal friend.   If love could have saved him, he would have lived forever. Preceded in death by his parents Robert and Frances Dawson, nephew John Casamento and great-nephew Jerrid Orsich, he is survived by his daughters Cheryl (Kirk) Merrick of Green, LeeAnn (Jeff) Smith of Akron; grandchildren Lauren and Rachel Merrick and Kyra and Tanner Smith; sisters Donna Casamento of Stow and Janice Ward of Cuyahoga Falls; ex-wife Carol Dawson of Akron, along with many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Friends are invited to Redmon Funeral Home for visitation Wednesday 4 to 8 PM,where Bill’s son-in-law Jeff Smith will conduct service Thursday 10:30 AM.   The family will have a private military burial at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service,3358 Ridgewood Road, Akron 44333 in Bill's name.