Willard “Dawson” Shurtleff

DIXFIELD – Willard “Dawson” Shurtleff, 87, a near life-long resident of Dixfield, passed away on Friday October 28, 2022 in Togus. Born in Rumford on March 16, 1935, he was a son of Willard C. and Cecilia (Rafuse) Shurtleff.

He was a graduate of Stephens High school class of 1954. He served in the US Air Force for the Air Police from 1956 to 1960. Dawson worked for Rafuse Oil Company for 30 years as well as Hawthorne Funeral Home in Dixfield. He served for the Dixfield Fire Station as a Lieutenant as well as constable for the Town of Dixfield. He was a member and Master Mason of King Hiram Lodge #57 for 58 years and was a member of Kora Temple for more than50 years, since 1965. In Dawson’s younger days, he belonged to the Dixfield Snowmobile Club, Dixfield Lion’s Club and Maine Rovers Campground and played baseball for the Town of Dixfield.

Dawson was married in Biloxi, Miss. on Dec. 28, 1957 to Muriel H. Vachon who survives of Dixfield. Other survivors include four daughters, Denise and husband Albert of Dixfield, Diane of Lewiston, Doreen and her partner Vincent Oden of Lewiston and Deirdre of Dixfield; his brother Alton Shurtleff of Gorham; five granddaughters, Megan (Richard) Rollo and husband Quin of Fitchburg, Mass., Melissa Richard of Manchester, NH, Chelsea Paterson and Delaney Paterson of Portland, and McKenzie Paterson of Washington, DC; his two great- granddaughters, who always put a smile on Dawson’s face, Delina and Marielle Rollo of Fitchburg, Mass. He was predeceased by his parents; and sister Charmaine Andrews of Lewiston.

Friends and family are invited to share memories with the family at http://www.meaderandson.com.

Graveside services will be held 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 11, 2022 at the Greenwood Cemetery in Dixfield. Arrangements are under the direction of the Meader & Son Funeral Home 3 Franklin St Rumford.

Those who desire may contribute to the:

Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Dawson’s name