William Staley Dawson

     William “Staley” Dawson, 90, of Elon, passed away on April 18, 2026, at his home surrounded by his girls.

     Staley was born in Guilford County on October 4, 1935, to the late James and Mozelle Dawson. He met his future bride, Ollie Smith, at a movie theater in 1952. They would later wed on May 11, 1954. They shared 56 years together before Mrs. Ollie Smith Dawson, went on to be with the Lord on November 24, 2010. They built a life together based on love, friendship and faith. Most of their life was spent living in Gibsonville where they raised their three daughters. Staley worked in construction for over fifty years, mostly with Ollie by his side. In 2003, they purchased a farm in Elon, which was his lifelong dream. A man of great faith, he was a longtime member of Altamahaw Baptist Church. His love for God, his family and the outdoors made him a man we adored and admired.

     The memories we have of our daddy and Pawpaw are many. Some mornings he would get up early and meet his friends for breakfast at Pete’s Grill, McDonald’s or Hardee’s. He enjoyed trips to the beach with his daughters and their families, and trips with his brothers and nephews rabbit hunting. His time on the farm was spent gardening, tending cattle, mending fences but mostly piddling in his later years. One of our fondest memories of him on the farm was watching him transform his John Deere Gator into his “farm buggy”, complete with wooden doors, windows and toolboxes on each side. He taught his granddaughters how to fish and loved spending time at the pond with his friends and family. Holidays and family gatherings were memorable times for our family because of the fellowship and love we all shared.

      Staley is survived by his daughters, Pat Hayes and Darlene Light (Mike); his son-in-law Mike Causey; his granddaughters Misty Hayes (Kevin), Brandy Light (Shannon) and Candice Light; his great-grandchildren Dawson, Jayden, Summer, Brienna, Emersyn, Zoe and Avery; sister Louise Newell and many nieces and nephews.

     He was preceded in death by his wife, Ollie Smith Dawson; daughter, Kay Causey; granddaughter, Ashley Causey Waller; sisters, Mary Stokes, Bertha Brame, Frances Batten and Fannie Clark; and brothers Roy Dawson, Howard Dawson, Raymond Dawson, John Dawson and Herman Dawson.

       A service to celebrate his life will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 11:00AM at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Dr. Steve Tucker. The family will receive friends from 6-8PM on Wednesday at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory and other times at the home.

      The family appreciates the excellent and compassionate health care provided to Staley by AuthoraCare and Crystal Summers.

Memorials may be made to Authoracare Collective Hospice, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215.