William C. Lawrence, 86, a longtime resident of Norwich, passed away Tuesday , March 8, 2016, at the Norwich Rehabilitation & Nursing Center.
Bill was born in Philadelphia, PA on October 19, 1929 the son of William M. and Marie (Reger) Lawrence and came to Norwich with his parents in 1932. He attended the Norwich schools and graduated with the class of 1947. Following his education, Bill entered the United States Air Force where he served as a welding instructor. He was employed by GLA and it’s successors retiring from BF Goodrich as a production engineer after 42 years of service.
Bill was very community oriented and was involved in many of it’s organizations. He was a longtime member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Norwich where he served as a Sunday School Instructor, was a member of the church choir and served as an usher. Bill was also a Scoutmaster for Troop 64 for a period of 3 years. He was deeply involved with the Norwich Emergency Squad and Fire Dept. Bill was a member of Alert Hose Co. #1 for over 25 years, a member of the Norwich Emergency Squad for 35 years where he served as an officer at all organizational levels and was named as Norwich Squad Person of the Year as well as Chenango County Squad Person of the Year. In his honor, the City of Norwich proclaimed January 22, 1983 as “William C. Lawrence Day” on his retirement from the squad.
On January 13, 1951 he married Joyce Goodrich who survives. Besides his wife Joyce of Norwich, Bill is survived by his children, James Lawrence and wife Joyce of Ransomville, NY, Jon Lawrence and wife Melissa of Leesburg, GA and William Lawrence Jr., and wife Theresa of Greensboro, NC. Also surviving is his sister Dorothy Favaloro and husband Joseph of FL, his grandchildren Alexander Lawrence and Jessica Freeman, his great grandchildren Austin, Michael, Anthony, Lexi and William III and a sister-in-law Edna Beers of ME.
A funeral service for Bill will be held on Monday, March 14, at 10 am from the Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Norwich. The Very Rev. Charles Taylor, Rector, will officiate.
Friends may call at the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home on Sunday afternoon from 1-3 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Norwich Emergency Squad, Norwich, NY 13815.