Bill passed away in Victoria, BC on July 20, 2013. He was born in Vancouver on December 17, 1930. Predeceased by his wife, Frances in 2008. Survived by his son, William Stewart Lawson. He was a Federal Civil Servant with Public Works for over 30 years. Bill enjoyed watching many team sports. He enjoyed hiking, canoeing, camping and outdoor activities in general with his family. He also appreciated the finer arts in all of their many forms. The family would like to thank Dr. Brian Winsby and all the staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital for all of their kind care and support.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, #107 – 1001 Cloverdale Avenue, Victoria, BC V8X 4C9. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com.
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Norman and Christine Cress
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David Whalen Bill was one of those guys that everyone liked. He was always very friendly and always available if you needed to ‘talk’ to him. A true story teller and gentle humanitarian. I really enjoyed his company and have many fond memories that I’ll always remember. We’ll all see you on the other side Bill. Until then may peace be yours for evermore.
To the family and friends of Bill it is “with heartfelt condolences and kindest thoughts in your time of sadness/ sorrow.” “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
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Connie Cameron I knew Bill from the days when he worked at Public Works in Vancouver. He was such a wonderful man,. So kind always willing to give you his time and attention. He had a good sense of humour and was highly regarded by many.
The world has lost a lovely man, and will not be better for it.
My condolences to his family and friends for their loss.
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Mary-Lynne Stepan I had the privlege to meet, work and develop a real great respect for Bill in Vancouver back in 1988 and which continued after he retired to date. He was a real gentleman, always easy to speak with, share his knowledge, experiences and stories, mentoring us all in how to get to a higher level of thinking. His manner in working and communicating with everyone at any level was amazing as well as classy. Everyone was treated with dignity and respect by Bill; which is not always the norm in our society. His daily e-mails lifted my spirits and were greatly appreciated. When I wasn’t getting my regular e-mails I thought he was off on vacation as his e-mails weere being returned as a full e-mail box. It is with sadness to learn of his leaving us however I’m sure that he will be smiling down on us after his reunion with Frances and others who have gone on to be with our Lord. Always his son and wife were his number one priority and dedication. I will miss his thoughtfulness, kindness, humour, mentoring, wisdom, compassion, enjoyment of life, loyalty and friendship. I know I am a better person having been granted the opportunity of being your friend. The world is a better place in my opinion for having you in it. Now the pain is over and may his eternal life with our Lord begin. Happy trails Bill until we meet again. God bless you and thank you for all that you shared with us.
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Peggy Lacorde My heartfelt condolences go out to Bill’s family during this time of sadness. I joined Bill’s team at PWGSC in 1999 in Security and from that time until my departure in 2005 I grew to know and love Bill. He was definitely a character with his storytelling, his support, his kindness, and always his positive outlook in life and his caring. He would always ask how my daughter and grandchildren were doing, he was so very thoughtful. I feel very very sad that we have lost such a dear man, I love you, my dear Bill. May God bless you and Rest In Peace. Goodbye Mr. Bill. Love you, Peggy.
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John O'Callaghan Goodby Bill,
It was a pleasure to work under your managing guidance in the years you were in Edmonton. Over the years I often thought of you and how things have changed in the government since you left for Victoria.
God bless and rest in peace.
John
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Susan Nerbas The Lawson Family – My thoughts and prayers are with you. I was greatly saddened to hear the news about Bill. He was a kind and generous man. I worked with him for many years in Edmonton. He was always happy to share his knowledge, had wonderful stories to tell, and a great sense of humour, sometimes a little cynical. I was sad when he retired, but happy that he and your mother moved back to the place they loved. My deepest condolences.
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melissa garland My heart aches right now as I just learned of Bill’s passing.
I first met Bill as a summer student back in 2001, and he supported me through my education and eventually offered me a permanent position when I graduated University. Every day, without fail, Bill greeted me with a warm hello and would often engage me in lengthy conversation before I even got a chance to take my coat off. Bill often lead from one story to another to another and I often found myself listening to Bill recant some memory from his childhood that never had anything to do with the reason the conversation started in the first place. His memory was amazing. I will cherish those stories forever.
When Bill moved to Victoria, he and I kept in touch weekly via email and, even though my children were born after he moved away and he never had a chance to meet them, he would send them cards for every birthday and every holiday without fail. I would send him pictures of the children and he would tell me how happy they made him.
I knew something was wrong when I had written to Bill on Father’s Day this year and didn’t get a reply. Several follow-up emails and phone calls yielded no response. Just days before his passing I finally got through to Bill and feel incredibly lucky to have gotten the chance to speak to him. In true Bill style, he deflected questions about himself and, as his voice cracked, weak and raspy, he managed to ask me how my kids were doing. I was able to tell him one last time that I loved him.
Bill was an incredible man, mentor and friend. I will miss him dearly.
Melissa
Our condolences to the family. Bill will be greatly missed. He was a great family friend and mentor. His fun stories, his great sense of humour and topical emails will be missed. He was a great man and solid friend.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp !
and surely I’ll be mine !
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
From Norm, Chris, Barlow and Edison