William Matthew Lawrance

William Matthew Lawrance, of Indianapolis, passed away unexpectedly on September 10, 2011. He was born in Indianapolis on May 17, 1985. Will was a loving son and brother, an adoring uncle, and a faithful partner. He was a gifted and prolific artist. Will was a shining star whose light and spirit will continue to shine on his family and friends through his abundant portfolio of paintings.

Will is survived by parents Mark and Jan Lawrance, twin brother Joe, sisters Erin (John) Salewicz and Devin (Jason) Mandel, nephew and niece Theo and Nora Salewicz, nephew Lewis Mandel, partner Joshua Barnd, and "man's best friend," Ellie.

Will graduated from North Central High School in 2003 and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, graduating on his birthday in 2008.

As a high school senior, Will was awarded the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Gold Key, painting category. Also in 2003, one of Will's paintings was purchased by the school, and is on permanent display there. Among his later accolades, Will was an exhibited finalist in the 2006 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. His painting "Big Self-Portrait" was one of 51 paintings selected from thousands of entries, and was displayed at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. Will was the youngest award recipient in the history of the competition.

Earning the rank of Eagle Scout in 2000 as a member of BSA Troop 174, Will was a devoted community servant and lover of the great outdoors. He loved skiing in Winter Park, Colorado and canoeing in the Quetico Provincial Park in Canada. For his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project, Will planted trees on the grounds of the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. He was an organ donor whose untimely passing blessed lives. Even in death, Will's kind and generous spirit shines.