William Edward Lawson

William “Bill” Edward Lawson, passed away on August 25th 2017, in Alexandria, VA at the age of 73.  

He was a longtime Washington Area resident, having moved from Buffalo NY in 1973. Born in Gadsden, Alabama, Bill moved to Buffalo, NY at the age of 4. He graduated from South Park High School in 1964, where he lettered in swimming, track, and football and was later inducted into the SPHS Hall of Fame.  Bill enlisted in the Marines in 1964 and served 3 tours in Vietnam.  He obtained a B.A. and Master’s degree in English from Buffalo State University and continued his graduate studies at George Washington University using the G.I. Bill.  

Bill worked in The White House during the Carter Administration in support of our nation’s Veterans. He also held numerous other positions on Capitol Hill before finishing his career working for Fairfax County Public Schools. Bill spent countless seasons coaching young women, including his daughters, in basketball. He will be remembered for his competitive spirit, sense of humor, dedication to youth development, and staunch advocacy for Veterans’ rights.

Bill is survived by his children, Susan (Fergus) McCallan, Kara (Damien) Barling, and Mary Catherine Lawson; sister Carolyn Clark-Odom; grandchildren Eve and Ronan McCallan, many nieces and nephews and his former wife Kathleen Lawson.

A viewing will be held at Everly Wheatley Funeral Home, 1500 W Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA from 4pm-8pm on Thursday, August 31st.  A private burial will be held at Quantico National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Disabled American Veterans’ Charitable Service Trust at https://www.givedirect.org/donate/?cid=779
 

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