William D. Lawson

Virginia Beach ~ William Davies Lawson, 80, joined his lovely bride, Virginia Whiting Sumpter Lawson, to be with the Lord on April 7, 2008, at Sentara Leigh Memorial Hospital in Norfolk. Mr. Lawson was born in Philadelphia, PA, and was a member of First Baptist Church of Norfolk. He was a lifelong silk screener and the proprietor of WDL of Virginia, Inc. Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in the European Theatre, where he earned the World War II Victory Medal. In 1951, he graduated from the Newark Public School of Fine and Industrial Art with a diploma in Advertising Design. For 18 years, Bill enjoyed ministering to the residents at the Oakwood Rehabilitation Center in Virginia Beach, where he also spent the last three weeks as a resident. He is survived by his daughter, Deborah Lawson; three granddaughters, Lisa George, Jessica Numbers, and Linda De Rosa; two great-grandsons, Joshua and Zachary Numbers; a beloved sister and brothers; and many cherished cousins, nieces, and nephews. A funeral service officiated by Dr. Dick Baker will be conducted on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 11:00 AM in Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd. Interment with honors provided by the U.S. Army will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends 4-6:00 p.m. and 7-9:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 9 in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Union Mission Ministries or the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life by visiting tinyurl.com/66vzq9. If sending flowers, please do not include roses. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.woodlawngroup.com