William J. "Bill" Lawson, 88, of Russell, PA,  passed away on  Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at the Warren General Hospital .

Bill was born April 24, 1927 in Stockdale, PA, the son of the late Joseph C. and Violet (Baxter) Lawson. Bill served in the US Navy during WW II, and then worked at SKF , (formerly Marlin Rockwell) for thirty six years as an Inspector, from which he retired in 1987. He was a member and former Union Steward  of the United Auto Workers. Bill attended the Warren Alliance Church for the past twenty years, and loved to spread the word of God. In addition to church, he enjoyed gardening and especially enjoyed family.

He is survived by his wife: Margaret (Troutman) Lawson, whom he married  on July 1, 1965;   two daughters, Debbie Messenger, and husband Pete, Albion, PA, Heidi Daily and companion Mark Norton, Albion, PA; three sons, Larry Ross and wife Melinda, Clarksville, TN, Tim Lawson of DuBois, PA, and Jim Lawson and companion Tina Roberts, Warren, PA; one sister,  Alice Rapp, Warren, PA;  one granddaughter, Ashley Ross Bumpus; three grandsons, Andrew Messenger, Landon VanOrd, and Greg VanOrd, three great grandchildren, Hadley, Corley, and Landry Bumpus; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia (Feronti) Lawson; a son, Denton Lawson; and a grandson, John A. Ross.

Friends will be received at the Peterson - Blick Funeral Home, Inc, 1003 Penn Ave., E., Warren, PA, 16365, on Friday July 3, 2015 from 11 am to 1 pm at which time a funeral service will be held, with Rev. Doug McKracken, pastor, Warren Alliance Church, officiating.

Burial will follow in Warren County Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Warren Alliance Church, 278 Kinzua Road, Warren, PA 16365, or Hospice of Warren County, 1 Main Avenue, Warren, PA 16365.