William “Bill” James Lawrence, age 81, passed away on May 22, 2017, surrounded by family at Tacoma General Hospital. Bill was born on June 3, 1935, in Abbotsford, British Columbia where his father was pastoring at the time.
As a young boy, the family moved to the Auburn/Renton area, where he recalled many happy days exploring the entire valley, often by hitchhiking. He graduated from Auburn High School in 1953. He also attended Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho.
After college, he moved to Hoquiam, Wash., where, he worked for ITT Rayonier for 42 years, retiring in 1992 when the mill closed. At Rayonier, he worked in several positions, including masonry and as an oiler. His favorite position was “bleacherman”.
It was in Hoquiam that he met his bride. On June 7, 1957, he married Wilma May Hensley at the Church of the Nazarene, where his father was the pastor. They were married almost 60 years and would have celebrated that milestone on June 7th of this year.
Bill enjoyed time with his family most of all, attending many birthday celebrations, sporting events, dance recitals and concerts. He loved playing games and visiting. He enjoyed shopping and eating out, always hoping to run into an old co-worker or friend and was delighted when he did. Bill was not a big traveler but could usually be talked into a trip that involved visiting his kids. He attended the Montesano Church of God.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Ralph E. and Elizabeth Lawrence; his sisters, Olive and Dorothy and his brother, Wesley.
Surviving family members are his wife, Wilma Lawrence; daughters Gwen (Lynn) Ford, Linda (Blaine) Kauzlarich, Joanne (Doug) Niemann, and Karen (Paul) Culp; grandchildren, Justin, Ben, Geneva, Holly, Jennifer, Brittany, DJ, Felicia, Ryan, Brendan and McKenna; 11 great-grandchildren, a nephew, Robert (Sharon) Harris, a niece Kim (Ira) Wein and other relatives.
A graveside service of interment will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, May 26, 2017, at the Fern Hill Cemetery in Aberdeen with Rev. Marc Rice, officiating.
Direction is by the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.
Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the on line register at www.colemanmortuary.net.
