Charles “Bill” Lawrence

Graveside  service for Charles W. “Bill” Lawrence, Sr., 74, formerly of Lawrence, will be  held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 13, 2010  at Oak Hill Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will follow the service at the residence of Michael Lawrence.   Mr. Lawrence died February 10, 2010 at Brookside Retirement Community in Overbrook, Kansas.

He was born on October 13, 1935 in Hobbs, New Mexico the son of Charles Ernest and Ora Mae (Robins) Lawrence.

As a boy he attended school in Oak Ridge, TN for five years and later graduated from Shawnee Mission High School.  He attended the University of Kansas and was in the marching band.   He was President and owner of Lawrence Lumber & Supply, Inc. for 35 years.

He was a member of the Mid American Lumbermen’s Association, Elks Lodge, Fraternal Order of Eagles, KU Alumni Association, Williams Educational Fund and Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity.  He was an avid bowler and enjoyed boating at Perry Lake.

He married Barbara Richardson on August 17, 1957 in Lawrence, Kansas.  She preceded him in death on May 13, 1994.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Robert “Bobby” Ernest Lawrence.

He is survived by three sons, Charles W. “Chuck” and wife Carie, Marietta, GA; Richard C. “Rick” and wife, Marcell, Lawrence, KS; and Michael A. Lawrence rural Baldwin City, KS; One sister, Sarah A. Wille, Overland Park; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren; a niece, nephews, and many friends; and his beloved dog, Tiger.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Charity of donor’s choice and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.