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Rev. William "Bill" Lawson
1928 - 2024
Rev. William "Bill" Lawson
1928 - 2024
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1928
DIED
2024
William Lawson Obituary
Rev. William "Bill" Lawson was a Houston civil rights leader who helped peacefully integrate his city and worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We invite you to share condolences for Rev. William "Bill" Lawson in our Guest Book.
Read Full Obituary.
(Photo: Gary Coronado/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
57 Entries
Lady Bea Ward
June 13, 2024
My Condolences to the entire family. A God sent Man of Love for God's people. A Man of Wisdom.
April Sloan Hubert
June 7, 2024
Well done thy good and faithful servant William Alexander Lawson. Take your rest in the precious arms of God, our Savior, ow and forever! SELAH
Gloria M. James
May 31, 2024
My heart aches to hear this news. I´m praying for everyone. RIH Rev. Lawson!
Vanessa
May 28, 2024
Fair Well. A man like Moses.
How you can show support
V. Jo Gonzales
May 28, 2024
Farewell Sweet Prince
My first job was at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church with the Urban League in the summer of 1976, I believe. I worked with other students, registering voters. That sounds like something our great civil rights leader would have on his campus. I also attended Young Life there, while at Jack Yates. THANK YOU Reverend William Lawson for providing so many lessons, opportunities and indelible memories in the minds and hearts of people whose lives you touched. May you sit at the Father's right side through eternity.
Sandra E. Johnson
May 26, 2024
Sincere condolences to the Lawson family for their loss, we too loved your Father and are thankful for his service and love he has shown to the world.
Mr.&Mrs. Reginald Bailey
May 26, 2024
Thank You for the love you gave us.R.I.P. The Bailey family. With our love
Ruthie Shaw
May 25, 2024
My deepest condolence to family and church family
Mary Moore
May 25, 2024
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Angelia M Outley
May 25, 2024
Absent in the mind.is present with the LORD.Mr.lawaon fought a amazing fight and a amazing journey.ahe miss the love of his life Mrs.A,GOD called his name and he answered.And picked a perfect flower.Ans thank you for our Melanie Lawson.thank you and well done.you can raised now.
DOROTHY WOODARD
May 25, 2024
R.I.P REV LAWSON
Rebecca Shelton
May 24, 2024
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Catherine Blair
May 24, 2024
My prayers go out to Melanie & family.
Ms. Jeryl Bennett
May 24, 2024
I'm sending my condolences to the Lawson family during these trying times. I asked our Father to give them strength in Jesus Name. I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Lawson on my job. What a kind and wonderful human being.
Patricia Williams
May 24, 2024
Gone but will never be forgotten. Well done good and faithful servant.
Patricia Williams
Ima Jean Butler - San Antonio TX
May 24, 2024
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Jessie Woods
May 24, 2024
To the Lawson´s Family ; it was 50 years ago when I met your father through the late Clyde Jackson. Your father was such an inspiration in my life and thousands of others . My heart goes out to your family for your loss. I know how much he meant to the family . I am praying for your peace and comfort.
Cynthia Barrs
May 24, 2024
Man of God RIH my Pastor going to miss you coming to church
JOHN WOODS
May 24, 2024
Thank you Dr. Lawson for being their for people not just in words but hands on actions. (John 3:18 "Dear children let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in Truth".
Angela F Demby
May 24, 2024
To, Melanie and the Lawson Family. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
patricia Green
May 24, 2024
Deepest condolences
Ariel Sherman
May 23, 2024
Thank God for Dr. William A. Lawson.
Pastor George E Hill
May 23, 2024
Rest in Christ servant of God.
Barbara Cauble
May 23, 2024
Rev Lawson was honored at the Families in Faith gala for Houston Graduate School of Theology on 2000. He was a remarkable man, full of hope and compassion.
Major & Janice Wiggins
May 23, 2024
May you rest in peace . Love The Wiggins family
Andrea Kennerson
May 23, 2024
Our Prayers are with the family John and Andrea Kennerson
Deacon Maurice E. Horton
May 23, 2024
To the Lawson family, My Prayers and Condolences are with you and your family. May God continue to give you Strength through this journey of Healing and Peace!
Yolanda Williams Mathis
May 23, 2024
A great leader who left his mark on history, and he will never be forgotten. I'm praying for the family during this time of sorrow, and you all have my deepest sympathy.
Mrs. Gail Simmons
May 23, 2024
Remember every smile, every scolding, but remember the love you shared with your Dad. I am praying for the Family.
Priscilla A. Clues
May 23, 2024
His legacy will live on in our hearts and our community!
We are forever grateful for your LOVE of Humanity!
P. A. Clues Family
GWENDOLYN B BRANCH
May 23, 2024
May God's peace and comfort rest upon your family during this season of life. Blessings
Lenora Washington
May 22, 2024
To the Lawson family y´all have my deepest condolences
Willadene W Glover
May 22, 2024
Glory Hallelujah!
Addie cooley
May 22, 2024
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Sharon Moore
May 21, 2024
To The Lawson Family:
My condolences, prayers and deepest sympathy extended to all of you.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in
J. ALLEN
May 21, 2024
My condolences to the family. My prayers and thoughts are with you. I met him during his many visits to Rice University to speak to the Black Students' Association, Jan West. Also, I began attending services after my mother's transition in 2018. The scholarly messages have given great healing moments. Thank you for sharing your father with the community and allowing him to father our needs. He has fostered so many to reach out to our Heavenly Father.
Gretchen Routt Matthews
May 21, 2024
To the family of Pastor Emeritus William Lawson,
I first encountered a visit with Rev. Lawson when he so graciously graced my family with his presence at my family's home when my uncle, Bro. Robert Matthews, Jr., whom he and his wife Mildred, also deceased, passed, and also were long time members of Wheeler Avenue. A very genuine steward who left indelible words with my family during our time of bereavement! May his family please accept condolences from my family during their time of bereavement. Your absence in the 11:30 service will be missed! Rest well, Pastor Emeritus Lawson!
Is Ridley
May 21, 2024
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.
Is Ridley
May 21, 2024
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.
Martha Martinez
May 21, 2024
To the family of Rev. Lawson :
My God almighty grant you comfort and peace during the time of your brevement
Anita Martins
May 20, 2024
To the Family:
Thank you. Thank you for allowing your husband (deceased)/father/dad/grandfather/great grandfather etc... to bless those he encountered with a humble spirit. A spirit that was no respecter of persons. He constantly reminded us that he was not one of those ministers called by God. His confession was he always wanted to teach and be a graphic artist. I am most thankful that even though he was not called. He was obedient and a willing servant. What I admired about him most was his ability to teach the word of God and make it plain and simple. He didn´t run from or put down inquisitions. If you needed him no matter your situation (drugs/jail/theft/murder etc.) he was there. If you needed someone to pray or visit you in the hospital/jail or be there for you during a very difficult time. He was there. You didn´t have to be a tithing member. You didn´t have to be a member of his congregation. Your standing in his church did not impact his support. If he eulogized you; he was there at the gravesite. He went to those gravesites as he aged over the years. I think he considered it his duty as a pastor. And that is what distinguishes him as a pillar in the community. He was a pastor. He might not deliver a fire and brimstone sermon but that quiet demeanor dissecting God´s word and teaching it so plainly is what made me motivated to read and study. I am so thankful for a pastor that took his responsibility with his congregants as to God and not man.
Matthew 25:21 KJV
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Theresa Sandles
May 20, 2024
A legend, a father, pastor, leader and friend. Although I never had the privilege of meeting Rev. Lawson everyone knew of him. My condolences to the Lawson family and Wheeler Ave. members. Rest well old soldier
David B.Chambers DDS
May 19, 2024
With deepest Sympathy.
Dr. David B. Chambers
Mrs. Anita Martins and Family
May 19, 2024
To the Family/Friends/Congregants/Community:
We would be remiss if we did not acknowledge a pastor that did not use the church for his own self-aggrandizement. Rev. William A. Lawson took his role as a man of God seriously. So seriously, it was 32 years as pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church before he owned and drove a new car. 1994 the community did the honors of blessing him with a new Lexus, which he then gifted to his wife. Rev. William A. Lawson and Mrs. Audrey Hoffman Lawson were a team par non. They initiated programs and activities (too numerous to name) that impacted and benefitted men/women/boys and girls for generations to come. It goes without saying this minister and wife were givers and supporters of numerous causes. Their commitment and sacrifices to community and activism is unmatched. They didn´t use the churches money to come up in life. We should all be grateful that this man of God was a humble servant who followed God´s lead and direction.
1 Corinthians 3:6-9 NASB
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8 Now the one who plants and the one who waters are one; but each will receive his own [a]reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God´s fellow workers; you are God´s [b]field, God´s building.
Mel Gross
May 19, 2024
A group of Jewish business men met him back in the 1960s. A special bond grew and our respect and appreciation grew over the years. A wonderful man and leader. May he rest in peace.
Foster Hinton Peterson Jr
May 19, 2024
I was fortunate to have had Reverend Williams Biil Lawson as my Instructor at the University of Houston (1975-76). The course text (Black Churches in America). My Condolences to the Lawson Family and Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.
RR
May 19, 2024
Prayers and condolences to the Lawson family, so very sorry for your loss. May God be your strength and comfort in your time of loss.
Peter Kelly
May 19, 2024
As a senior at Lamar High School in 1965 I was moved by an article about a March from Wheeler church to Downtown Foleys to integrate the lunch counter rev Bill Lawson led that March. He inspired me to work for civil rights. I will forever be grateful for his influence on my young mind.
On that March we had to keep on the sidewalk and wait for lights before crossing streets redneck mounted Houston police officers made deeply Jim Crow statements to us as a white teenager I was singled out for questioning my loyalty. The store management integrated the business that day! There were no arrests and the city was calm.
Bill Lawson was a great man!
Veronica F. Jacobs
May 18, 2024
To Melanie, Cheryl, Roxanne, the Wheeler Avenue family, and everyone who was fortunate to be influenced by Rev. Lawson, his family and his legacy.
I met Rev. Lawson in the 1960's when I was a high school student. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the Upward Bound Program for low-income high school students . Rev. Lawson was the director of Upward Bound at Texas Southern University. As participants we saw or spoke with Rev. Lawson on a regular basis. He inspired every one of us. I encountered Rev. Lawson again when he taught a course on the Black Church. It was one of the core courses of the Afro-American Studies Program at the University of Houston. We learned about the profound impact of the Black Church on the civil rights movement not only in Houston but in the nation. Through it all Rev. Lawson not only encouraged us but, he walked with us. he will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
Ollie V. Graham
May 18, 2024
After moving from Tuskegee, AL in 1986, I joined Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church with Rev. Lawson as my pastor. What an incredible pastor.
My sincerest condolences to the family, friends, and church members. May God give you all comfort and peace as you endure this tremendous loss.
Lynn Goode
May 18, 2024
Dear Melanie, John, and family;
I was deeply saddened to hear of Rev. Lawson´s death.
Your father was a brilliant man who led with love and wisdom. His stellar legacy lives on through all of you. May peace be with you.
Lynn Goode
Gayle Nerie
May 16, 2024
He was a polite and friendly person and who I'd enjoy meeting him and I will totally miss him In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Brenda Coleman
May 16, 2024
My sincere condolences to the Lawson family, Pastor Cosby, all of the clergy staff, members and friends. Emeritus Rev. William Lawson touched many people lives throughout his life. Our hearts are broken and sad, but the beautiful memories will remain with us for a life span. Please accept my sympathy and comforting prayers at this different time . Gone but never forgotten!
Mr. Jr.
May 16, 2024
My condolences.
RB
May 16, 2024
A dedicated and tireless worker for civil rights who worked side by side with Dr. King and so many others. Sincere condolences to the Lawson,
so very sorry for your loss. May God be with you all to help at this very difficult time of your loss.
Elizabeth Bell
May 15, 2024
RIP Rev.William
Derric Dickson
May 15, 2024
Reverand William A. Lawson was a very intelligent, kind man with a gentle presence that possessed prolific power.
Originally from Dallas, my late mother, Wanda Howell Dickson, and I moved to Houston in 1977. We felt welcomed immediately at Wheeler Ave Baptist Church and joined the membership until returning home some years later. His sermons were scholarly, prompting spiritual reflection and application long after their conclusion.
Rev. Lawson spoke to me personally during a very challenging period of my life. He was accessible, attentive, sensitive, accepting, and encouraging of me. I will forever be grateful to him for his kindness and understanding.
I extend my prayers and condolences to both the Lawson family, Wheeler Ave Baptist Church membership.
May God hold your hearts close as he welcomes Rev. Lawson home.
Derric E. Dickson
Dallas, TX.
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