Leave a tribute or offer your condolences

• Ms

  Donna Spurr

  
  "I found Bill to be a kind, gentle, quiet man. I had the opportunity to visit Bill while he was staying at the BC Cancer Agency earlier this year. On my first visit I found out that offering to massage his feet and legs brought not only some feeling back to them, but a smile to his face as well. I came back for a few more visits to massage his feet again. I am grateful for these moments with him. It gave me achance to get to know Bill a little better, bringing a smile to my face also. Donna Spurr"

• Mr

  Charles Spurr

  
  " In 1970 I was on a project in Vancouver when Judy introduced me to Bill before they were married, I was very impressed by Bill. Bill impressed the guests at their wedding reception by remembering all the guests names. Bill took to the farm animals like a veteran farmer who used all his teaching talents and more. We made a few trips to B.C. and a highlight was a visit to the farm with Bill and Judy. Bill will be greatly missed by family and friends.
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• Mr

  Glenn Spurr

  
  "Unfortunately our paths didn’t cross often enough. Bill climbed on our family tree back in 1970 when he married cousin Judi. Due to distance and opportunity we rarely spent any time together. It wasn’t until a few years ago did I truly meet Bill. While attending Kyle’s wedding outside of Ottawa I stayed at Deb & Pierre’s house along with Bill, Judy & Anita. The tension was high as was the temperature but yet the man never wavered. Fully engaged in every conversation he was in, he was a man respected. Later that same year I visited the farm in BC with my daughters for a day. Being the proper host Bill provided a grand tour of the farm along with a few chores needing to be done. Between shovelling out stalls then wheeling the nectar to the pile in the back or changing all the fly “sticky tape” catchers in the barns, I believe this city slicker provided one day of comic relief from the daily grind on the farm. My condolences to Judi, Anita & Kyle along with all those close to him. "

• Ms

  Lynne Carter

  
  "I feel like I have been truly blessed to have known Bill for the last 13 years. For 9 of those years my horses lived at the farm and I was always welcomed with a tip of the cap and a warm smile by Bill on a daily basis. There are so many memories that come to mind that I don\'t know where to start. I do want to say though that I am proud to have had him in my life as he was the warmest, caring man you could ever hope to meet. My heart goes out to Judi, Anita and Kyle and their families for the loss of this truly wonderful man."

• Mr.

  Patrick Hudson

  
  "Bill had all the qualities of the genuine gentlemen that he was. He was able to make whomever he was speaking to feel they had his entire attention, and whatever they were speaking about was very important to him. He was quiet, not boastful, when he had every reason to be boastful, having lived a productive, exemplary life and raising an outstanding family.I suspect he was also frugal. I once watched him trying to repair a part for what would quailfy as an antique bailer he had on his farm. I asked him why he didn,t just get another part, and his reply was \" this one is still good\". I don\'t think he ever threw anything away judging by his garage. He will be missed. Susan and I are proud to have known him and spent time in his company"

• Mr

  Brian Spurr

  
  "I cannot claim to have known Bill well but in my short trip to Vancouver in 1997 I was treated royally by my family there. (Judi is my second cousin). Bill, and the whole family were really hospitable to me and very friendly. I felt a real connection to them even though we lived in different continents and different hemispheres. Bill stuck me as being a wonderful husband and father and a real gentleman. I am glad I got to meet him and am sad to hear of his passing. Sending my love to all of the family."

• ms.

  Liz Erickson

  
  "Bill always greeted myself and my family with a smile,when we arrived at the farm or house..He truly was delightful,warm caring gentleman.I considered it an honor to have known Bill. I remember telling Bill about the ugliest fireplace I had ever seen and it was mine, all mine.He graciously said we could fix that and he built me a lovely front for it .I still admire his work. I so apprecaited his kindness .I send my sincerest sympathy to Judi ,Anita , Kyle and extended family for your great loss "

• Mr

  Mike Chernen

  
  "I just want to say how sorry I am at hearing of Bill\'s passing. I was able to know the kindness and openness of Bill and family through my friendship with daughter Anita. Like all kind and classy people, they may be gone but never forgotten. My deepest sympathies go out to Judi, Anita, Kyle and Natacha, at this difficult time. "

• Mr

  Roland Inman

  
  "Bill was a great and caring man, I knew him from visits, often years apart, but the stays; especially in 1974 were very special. In 1974 we played endless games of darts in his attic study, I thought it the most wonderful room I had ever been in. It was astounding to see everything so neat and clean and so many things to look at. In 2007 I happily mucked out the stables with him, the weather was pretty marginal, but it was great to have time with him and the family. Funniest event was watching Team America - World Police (uncut), the look on his face at the love scene! I\'m proud that one of my pictures is in the photo album, the Dawsons are kind, caring and all too far away. Bill was in many ways the father I wish I had. Thoughts and best wishes are with you."

• Ms

  Claire Hurley

  
  "I remember that Bill used to teach with Joe Hurley at Britannia before he got married. Bill and Judi moved into a home not far from ours in Vancouver. After an appropriate while along came Anita, well behaved and not given to howling. Later Kyle arrived, quiet--this became his pattern for life. Whenever I visited the farm and Kyle was there he would say little but take everything in. Good training for a future RCMP person. But I digress: I remember going for walks along Arbutus Street with Judi, the family coming over for swims, seeing Bill play tennis at Jericho. Bill helped my son, Joel, when he bought his first car, an ancient Fiat. Then they all disappeared into the boonies. Only to reappear in Ladner! A decade ago I moved into the area and took to dropping in to see what\'s what. I would find Bill cleaning out stalls, building new stalls, expanding the empire, so to speak. He would always pause for a bit, have a chat, be friendly, calm and cool no matter how much he was sweating! For awhile Judi took care of the horses. I admired her ability to deal with all that crap. Then she was lured back to work and Bill assumed the responsibilities. Judi took over all the responsibility for running the \"farm\" when Bill became ill. The last time I saw Bill I stopped in to pick up something he had stored for me. He was just fine and that is the way I shall remember him. Condolences to Judi, Anita, and Kyle and all the other relatives and partners. "

• retired teacher

  Don Halward

  
  "Bill was a liked and respected colleague at P.W., a decent man whose existence made the world a little better place. Sincere condolences to all those who knew and loved him."

• Mr

  Des Cockcroft

  
  "I first met Bill in 1971 & when we discovered that I had lived in his hometown, we always enjoyed each others company talking about Keightley & our travels. Our golf games were always fun, two hackers at the rear of the pack, our game was so bad some days, we used to quit at the ninth hole & head to the bar. Bill, as quiet as he was, had no fear. More than once on a fishing trip, Bill would take short cuts across the open water & I would end up bailing, before we reached the other side. On a fishing trip to Williams Lake, we wondered why our camping neighbors pulled up stakes the first night after we arrived. We were told we snored so much our tent was rocking, we did not hear a thing. Great times Bill, I\'m going to miss you, especially our Gin Rummy games, you were always too smart for me, although you did let me win the odd game. My deepest sympathy to you Judy, Anita, Kyle & Natasha. Bill Dawson was one of the finest English gentlemen that I have ever met, can\'t say, hope to see you soon Bill, but get them organized up there, so we can have more good times when I get there."

• Mr.

  Randel Dupuis

  
  "Just before Anita and Rick moved into what was formerly the rental house, a gang from Ikea came in to renovate the kitchen. Anita had the day off, so she whipped up a plate of sandwiches for the work crew over in the kitchen of the main house. She then presumably went off to do something or other outside, leaving the sandwiches unattended. I was in the barn delivering feed when Bill came shuffling past at top speed (or as fast as his gumboots would allow, in any case!) tray of ill-gotten sandwiches in hand and a massive grin on his face. By the time Anita realized what had happened and who the likely culprit was, she set off in hot pursuit, but to no avail. My memory is a bit fuzzy, but I may or may not have perjured myself on behalf of the hungry, grateful thief...
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