Dr. William Wesley Lawrence, Sr.

January 27, 1939 - December 7, 2018

William "Bill" Wesley Lawrence, Sr. was born January 27, 1939 in Chadbourn, N.C. to the late Horace and Mary Brinkley Lawrence. He was the 10th child of 15 children. His parents, 8 brothers and sisters, and one son, Ronnie Dean Dowdy, preceded him in death. His love for education began in the Columbus County School System in Chadbourn where he graduated from Westside High School in 1957. As a skilled farmer, for many of his peers that would have been the transition to the work world, however, he was driven to higher education initially pursuing a degree in Chemistry from North Carolina College. After working for a short period of time, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served our country at Madigan General Hospital in Tacoma, Washington as a Medical Technologist, ultimately pursuing and receiving certification. While there he also made the wise choice to ask for the hand in marriage of his school sweetheart, Queen Elizabeth Wooten. With her acceptance began a union of almost 53 years which he cherished from day one until the day he departed this life. With her support, he continued his drive for education pursuing a Masters in Couseling Psychology from North Carolina Central University while also working fulltime as a Chemist at Liggett & Myers and shortly thereafter, made the decision to pursue his Doctorate of Philosophy in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill which he received in 1974. His educational career from there includes faculty positions at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville Tehnical Community College, Vance Community College, and until retirement, serving as a full professor at North Carolina Central University. Throughout and after his educational career, he served as a dissertation advisor for a host of doctoral students. His career also included serving as Director of Counseling at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and a seven -year term on the Durham City School Board of Education. In line with his drive for education, he became: a licensed real estate broker, a state certified funeral director and embalmer, a licensed behavioral health professional, a licensed insurance agent, and served as an entrepreneur running Eagle Special-Tees, a screen-printing company. At an early age, he confessed his life to Christ and was baptized at First Missionary Baptist Church in Chadbourn, N.C. After moving to Durham, he joined Community Baptist Church where he served in the Chancellor Choir, as a Trustee, member of the Building and Christian Education Committees, and the Laymen's League. Bill was an active member in several professional organizations: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, American Couseling Association, American Psychological Asoociation, Life Member of NAACP, and served as a field surveyor for K-CREP. He was a leader in the Westside Alumni Association and served as National President. He also was a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. When he had free time, William enjoyed reading, any debate someone was willing to participate in, supporting family events, reading, traveling, mentoring young people, reading, playing poker and bid-whist, watching sports, and reading. He loved automobiles, suits, ties, shoes,home cooked meals, a good crab fest or oyster roast, and visits with his children, family, students and friends. William planted his family legacy, on February 1st, 1966, when he married his best friend, Queen. This union was blessed with two children, "Buddy" William Jr., (Kansas City, M.O.), and "my baby girl" Lori, (McLeansville, N.C.). He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Glenda N. Dowdy, (Fayetteville, N.C.). Three grandchildren: Ronald (Honolulu, H.I.), Robert (Burbank, C.A.), and Alisha (Seattle, W.A.). His latest apple of the eye Jayla Dean. Four sisters: Mary Jane Flowers, Annie Lee Lawrence, Evangeline "Patsy" McBride, and Clara Dunn (Wayne). Two brothers: Roosevelt Lawrence and Walter Lawrence (Shirley). Two brothers-in-law Henry Delon Wooten (Virginia), Leon Wooten (Barbara), and two sisters-in-law Gracie Lawrence and Harlene Wooten-Walters. Four generations of nieces, nephews, and cousins and a host of friends. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at Peace Missionary Baptist Church, 2608 NC Highway 55, Durham, N. C. 27713 at 12:00 p.m., with a family visitation one hour prior to the service. There will also be a Kappa Alpha Psi ceremony at 10:30 a.m., prior to the visitation. Interment will take place on Sunday, December 16, 2018 at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, 5548 Silver Spoon Rd, Whiteville, N.C. 28472 at 2:00 p.m. Donations may be made to The Mary Lawrence Family Scholarship.