Donald Lewis Dawson, who retired in 1983 as an engineer at Bethlehem Steel's Sparrows Point plant and had a career as a teacher, died Friday of cancer at his home near Roanoke, Va. He was 67.

A Mass of Christian burial for Mr. Dawson was being offered today at St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church in Roanoke.

He was a resident of Maryland from 1953 to 1989, living in Dundalk until the mid-1960s and then in Joppatowne.

After his retirement in 1983, he taught at Essex Community College.

During World War II, the native of Charleston, Ill., served as a Navy pilot in the Pacific area.

He sang in the Chorus of the Chesapeake for 25 years.

He is survived by his wife, the former Mary Albright; one son, Michael Scott Dawson of Newport, Va.; one daughter, Kathleen Marie Olson of California; one brother, William Dawson of Libertyville, Ill.; one sister, Patricia Dawson Midtskog of Woodenville, Wash.; and one granddaughter.

The family suggested donations to the Roanoke Memorial Hospice Program, Jefferson and Belleview streets, Roanoke, Va. 24033.