WILLIAM S. LAWSON
Ridgeland, Miss.William S. Lawson, age 80, died Monday, October 10, 2005, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, Miss. A devoted and loving father, he was born May 13, 1925, in Memphis, Tenn. to the late Helia and C. J. Lawson. He attended schools in Memphis and upon graduation joined the Army Air Corps, serving during World War II as a bombardier in the Asian-Pacific Theater.
He attended the University of Mississippi graduating with a BBA and LLD degrees. He entered private practice of law in Tupelo and practiced until his retirement in 1996. He was a member of the Lee County Bar Association and served as president 1967-1968, the Mississippi Bar Association, the Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association serving as president 1977-1978, Board of Governors, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, National Committeeman of the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Lamar Order and Roscoe Pounds-American Trial Lawyers Foundation. During his year as President, the Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association was voted the outstanding state trial lawyers organization in American. He was admitted to practice before many U.S. District Court divisions, the U.S. Court of Appeals, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Mississippi Supreme Court. In 1977 he was chosen to receive the Trial Lawyers award for outstanding attorneys within the state. Selection for this award is based not only on excellence as a lawyer but also by dedication and services to both the public and the profession demonstrated by the recipient.
Mr. Lawson was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Tupelo, a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner, a member of the American Legion, VFW and various other civic organizations. He loved Ole Miss Football, Civil War history and spending time with his family and friends.
Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday in the Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Rev. Bill McAlilly and Rev. Bill Harrison officiating. Burial will be at the Mausoleum at Lee Memorial Park in Verona, Miss.
Survivors include is wife of 58 years, Kathleen Snipes Lawson; a daughter, Sharyn L. Davis and husband, Richard, of Brookhaven, Miss.; a son, Roger Lawson of Brandon, Miss.; two granddaughters, Barbara "Katie" Lawson and Loran Lawson, both of Brandon; three grandsons, Keith Davis and wife, Heather, of Durham, N.C., Christopher Lawson of Magee, Miss., and Kirk Lawson of Louisville, Miss.; one great granddaughter, Edie Kathleen Davis of Durham; two brothers, C.J. Lawson and Robert Lawson, both of Olive Branch, Miss.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, and five brothers.
Pallbearers will be Gary Carnathan, Mike Black, Larry Mims, Luther "Butch" Harris, Leonard Sanders, Jay Boling, Richard Rogers, and Peter K. Smith.
Honorary pallbearers will be past presidents of the Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association and special friends, Leroy Long, and Talmadge Stubblefield.
Memorials may be made the First United Methodist Church, 412 W. Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38804; the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave. 6 th Floor, New York, NY 10001, or your favorite charity.