Rev. William (Will) Harris Lawson

The Rev. William (Will) Harris Lawson passed away from COVID-19 on Nov. 20, 2020, in Rochester.

Will was born Jan. 23, 1931, in Indianapolis, to William Malcolm James Lawson and Thelma Irene (Brown) Lawson. On Feb. 3, 1951, he married Barbara L. Tridle.

Barbara preceded him in death in 2001 after more than 50 years of marriage.
He is survived by his children, Lynn Fritz, Loretta Lawson, the Rev. Will Lawson (Cheryl) Benton; grandchildren, Tony Fritz (Holly), Dania Cueto, (Walter), Kelly Weaver (Mark), Ryan Hodges (Jennifer); 11 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

Will attended Butler University, Earlham College, Anderson University, Princeton University, and Ball State University. He earned a Master of Divinity at Christian Theological Seminary. He entered the Methodist Ministry in June 1960 and was ordained an Elder in May 1970. His record of service in Indiana Methodist and United Methodist Churches included Fairview, Albany Bethel, Perkinsville, Beall’s Chapel, New Burlington, Anderson Bethel, Fort Wayne Broadway, Fort Wayne First Wayne Street, Gaston, Fort Wayne South Wayne, York, Gas City, Otterbein, Mentone, Talma, Webb Chapel, Ebenezer, Burton, and Richland Center.