William A. Dawson; 78; of Graham Street; Belle Vernon; died Monday; Oct. 15; 2001; in Mon Valley Hospital. A son of the late William and Jessie Sylvester Dawson; he was born in Belle Vernon on Nov. 23; 1923. Baptist by faith; he had been a lifelong resident of Belle Vernon. Mr. Dawson was a member of the Belle Vernon American Legion Post 659 and the VFW Post 699. He retired from the Monessen plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel in 1984 and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II; having served with Company B; 503rd paratroopers infantry. He received a Purple Heart for injuries received in combat. Survivors include three sons and two daughters-in-law; William D. and Sandra Dawson of Monessen; Jeff Dawson and Eric and Barbara Dawson; a brother; Jack Dawson; a sister; Lois Culbertson; all of Belle Vernon; and five grandchildren; Billie Jo; Nikki; Matthew; Juliann and Amanda Dawson. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m Wednesday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC.; a Golden Rule member firm; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon; where funeral services will be held at noon on Thursday with the Rev. Mark Freed; pastor of the First Baptist Church of Belle Vernon; officiating. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. The Belle Vernon American Legion will hold services at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.