William Lawrence

Born January 9, 1941, in Beacon, NY to Frank & Agnes (Pullar) Lawrence, Bill was a longtime resident of Ann Arbor, MI who enjoyed his retirement residing at “the cottage” in the Irish Hills. He graduated in 1958 from St. Thomas High School where he met his future wife, Karen (Hutchinson) Lawrence, who he married in 1961. Bill was a proud veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy both stateside and as postmaster of the 6th Fleet, aboard the USS Rockbridge. After the military, Bill attended Eastern Michigan University before beginning a career in insurance and later, at General Motors. A longtime parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Bill served on the Parish Building Committee and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and the Moose Lodge.

Bill was a devoted family man, and he and Karen spent many happy hours watching their children, and later their grandchildren, participate in various activities. He loved and enjoyed all dogs but had a special relationship with his Corgi Winston, his loyal companion of many years. Bill also enjoyed helping his friends and family working on home renovation projects and vehicle repairs, and his fondness for all things “Jeep” led to him being affectionately known as Grandpa Jeep. He shared numerous Jeeping adventures with his family, passing down his enthusiasm to his children and grandchildren, many of whom are continuing the tradition with adventures of their own.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Karen, his parents Frank & Agnes Lawrence, and his in-laws Rodney and Dorothy Hutchinson. He is survived by children: Heidi Sisson, Andrew (Elizabeth) Lawrence, Jon (Christina) Lawrence, and Ryan Lawrence; his grandchildren: Justin (Eva) Sisson and Matthew (Kate) Sisson, Connor Lawrence, Delaney Lawrence, and Grace Lawrence, Cooper Lawrence and Mitchell Lawrence; his sister Elizabeth (Betty) F. Lawrence; his nieces Lisa Robertiello (Damian), Anne-Marie Phillips (Lee Callahan), and nephew Benjamin Phillips; and his great-grandchildren Colton, Beck, and Griffin Sission.

The family will receive friends to share loving memories of Bill on Sunday, October 8, 2023, from 3-5 p.m. at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor, Michigan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 9, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2250 E Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI. Prior to Mass, the family will greet friends in the Gathering Space at the enterance of the Church from 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. Internment of ashes to follow immediately after Mass at the St. Francis Memorial Garden adjacent to the church.

Memorial contributions can be made to The Humane Society of Huron Valley, or St. Francis “Assisi Center Building Fund.”

To view the livestream of Bill’s funeral mass please click the following link https://youtube.com/@stfrancisofassisi-a2?si=GP4OEyXDt3xDYlA0