Petersburg Pilot -

Walter Dawson, 85, died peacefully in Juneau, Alaska on Dec. 11, 2014.

He was born in Seattle, Wash. on Jan. 7, 1928 to Cora and Floyd Dawson. Walter was the seventh of fourteen siblings growing up in the family home in Puyallup, Wash.

In the middle 1940s Walter followed in his brother's footsteps and joined the U.S. Army. He spent a nine-year career in the Army serving his country in Japan and Korea. After an honorable discharge, he worked at the Boeing plant in Seattle.

Walter met Ruth Elaine Duval and fell in love. They were married on June 7, 1958 in Petersburg, Alaska and they spent 56-happy years together.

While Walter and Ruth made their first home in Kirkland, Wash., they quickly moved to Petersburg, Alaska where Ruth's parents Royal and Clara Duval lived. Ruth worked at Petersburg Public Schools as a teacher and Walter worked as longshoreman at Petersburg Fisheries for the next 30-years. Walter was the shop steward for ILWU for many years and was well respected and liked by his many peers.

The couple bought a home in Petersburg next to the Wrangell Narrows and started a family adopting four children, Diane, Cora Rose, Daniel and Darrell. During Walter's life he was a member of the Lutheran Church, Assembly of God Church, Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, Veterans of Foreign Wars and many service organizations. After retirement Walter found fulfillment helping Ruth in her preschool.

After selling their home in Petersburg, the couple moved to Juneau and eventually became residents at the Juneau Pioneers' Home where Walter enjoyed flirting with the nurses and caretakers. He also enjoyed watching football, stealing bananas and winning at bingo and board games. Walter was known for his daring daytime escapes via his electric wheel chair to Twin Lakes.

Walter was preceded in death by: daughter Cora Rose Dawson, and many of his siblings.

Walter leaves behind: wife Ruth Dawson; son Daniel (Jo) Dawson and Darrell Dawson; daughter Diane (Harlan) Bell; grandchildren, Elaine Dawson, Hannah Dawson, Justin Patrick, Brook Dawson, Ryan Dawson, Devon Bliss, Darian Bliss; and great grand daughter Aisha Kayle Bliss.

Services were held at the Juneau Church of God on Dec. 23, 2014.