William Donell Lawson, Sr.

Mr. William “Billy” Lawson was born on August 10, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois to Mr. Willie D. and Wanda Jean Lawson both of whom preceded him in death . William was rewarded heavenly peace on Memorial Day, May 27, 2024.

William attended grammar school and the prestigious all boys Mendel Preparatory School in Chicago prior to enrolling in his beloved Talladega College. After college he joined the U.S. Army serving as a Calvary Scout earning an honorable discharge. William was employed by the VA Medical Center in Milwaukee until his retirement at a fairly early age. William dearly loved his family and friends who know him as a proud, gentle, kind, caring man with an unforgettable voice and hearty laugh. Music
was his constant companion, he played trumpet in his high school band and in a sought after Chicago band he helped to form while in high school and he even danced on Soul Train. An enthusiastic and passionate fisherman, who boasted heartedly of his fishing skills, he was most happy on the water with friends he loved. His love of sports often found him in front of the television, with big food, for a game of any kind, loudly taunting his friends with wins and losses. A lifelong devoted Chicago Bears fan William moved South and also became the biggest Alabama “Roll Tide” fan. 

William leaves to cherish his life and memory, his beloved Son, William Lawson, Jr (wife Keshia Bowers) and his friend Shaquela Jefferies; Daughter Lauren Lawson, bonus daughters, Taira Smith, Yashica Grandberry and bonus son, Mane Grandberry; Two Sisters Bambi Brunt and Kourtney Williams; Granddaughters Ally Lawson, Skylar Lawson, Ryann Lawson, Amani Johnson and Yasmine Foster; Niece Kayln Williams; and Nephews Edward Alvin Brunt IV. (Brette) Kayden Samuels; Great Nephews Edward A. Brunt, Aidan Brunt; Great Niece Eidan A. Brunt and a host of Cousins, and other relatives all over from Bastrope, Louisiana to Chicago, Illinois. 

William so cherished his many friendships from his life’s journey to include those in Chicago, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Alabama and those he met in his military travels with whom he kept constant contact. Among those friends from childhood he forever loved and missed with his whole heart was Jeff Harmon, who preceded him in death. William’s’ passing is also mourned by many special to him during life, to include former Wife, Rosalind H. Lawson (mother of his son) Carolyn Grandberry (mother of his daughter) Randy Diamond (trusted friend and confidant in Milwaukee), Skip, Valarie and the entire Smith Family, the Simmons/Ross Clan, Will Haster( Milwaukee) best friend, confidant, sounding board and fishing buddy; good friends and fishing buddies Wayman Jones, Mike Davis, Jeff Wilson; his D Phi D brothers and the large and loving Talladega College Family. William loved Bambi, his Sister, and Bambi loved William, the two of them traversed life together, often with some difficulty, and if William would leave a reminder it would be that Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome is real and life altering and his hope that society recognizes the difficulty of living with PTSD and truly develop ways to help those suffering from its affects.

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