William Henry Laws

William Henry Laws, also known lovingly as Bill, passed away on April 19, 2021 in Memphis, TN. Bill was born February 8, 1954 in Jackson, TN. He attended Memphis State, now the University of Memphis, and received his Bachelor's of Science degree in Education in 1978 as the first person in his family to graduate with a four-year degree. He retired from FedEx in 1996 and went to work with his late brother, Tony B. Laws, at Woods and Water in Tuscaloosa, AL. Since 2003, he has worked as an independent sales representative selling Collegiate Apparel. Bill was surrounded by close, supportive, and loving friendships from college to retirement. He loved everyone who crossed his path; he was kind, generous, funny, outgoing, talkative, adventuresome, and never met a stranger. Bill’s best friend, Buddy, adopted him several years ago, they went on many walks, threw lots of balls, and shared lots of treats! Bill loved nature and gardening and could make anything grow.

Although his death was sudden, he lived a long, happy, healthy 67 years with family, endless adventures, and wonderful friends. William Henry Laws of McMinnville, TN is survived by his sister, Betty Joyce McDonald of Memphis, TN; his brother, Roy David Laws of Logansville, GA (Elizabeth); and sister in law, Emma Laws of Tuscaloosa, AL. He is also survived by his nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews: Renee Webster (Tony Webster, Harrison & Hartley Cox); Denise Kaylor-Walker (Ariel Kaylor & Lily Walker); Kevin Laws (Amber, Bailey Grace, Clayton, and Emery), and Kimberly Scroggins (Brent & Gavin). He is preceded in death by his brother, Tony B. Laws; parents, Ina Mai and W.B. Laws; and maternal grandmother, Rosa Gibbons.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill’s memory to Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute (https://www.methodisthealth.org/healthcare-services/transplant/gifts-and-funding/) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now) or Vanderbilt University Medical Center, (https://www.vanderbilthealth.org/ways-give).