William "Bill"

Lawson

William Ritter "Bill" Lawson (1939 – 2024)

A graveside service celebrating the life of William Ritter "Bill" Lawson will be held at Laurel Hill Cemetery on 18th Street at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.  The Reverend Tom H. Johnson, Jr. of Pine Mountain, GA, a family friend, will officiate. Mr. Lawson passed away on Sunday, January 21, after a brief illness.

Bill Lawson was born in Woodbury, NJ on September 25, 1939 to Hanna James Lawson and James William Lawson, but later moved to Sewell, NJ.  He was the youngest of three sons.  In the early 1940s, the family moved to South Florida, near the Everglades, where he developed his love of hunting, fishing and all things in the natural world.  When he was about 13 years old, the family moved to Thomasville, GA to join his uncle in the wholesale nursery business, and The Bush Ranch was born.  Bill eventually purchased the nursery from his family, and over the years, the business earned an excellent reputation for propagating, selling and shipping bare-root cuttings to retail nurseries throughout the United States. He was an active member of the Southern Nursery Association.

He was a member of the Thomasville High School Class of 1957, excelling as a 4-year defensive and offensive lineman on the THS football team.  He attended Florida State University where he was initiated into the Kappa Alpha Order.

He returned to Thomasville and on December 18, 1960, he married his high school sweetheart, Diane Dickey.  He resumed his position with The Bush Ranch, using his leadership and organizational skills to further expand the business.

After high school, he enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard.  After 10 years of enlisted and commissioned service, in 1968, he requested a concurrent discharge from the Georgia Army National Guard and the US Army Reserve.  He was honorably discharged and granted Reserve status.  He had attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

He quickly and completely became immersed in the civic life of Thomasville.
As a member of the First United Methodist Church, he served several terms on the Administrative Board, was a host for the Wednesday Family Night Suppers, and served as a Boy Scout Scoutmaster.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Thomasville Jaycees served as a springboard for young leaders and entrepreneurs.  The organization sponsored as many as 50 service projects a year and Bill quickly rose to the top leadership position of President.  One of the most visible projects of the Jaycees was the Miss Thomasville Pageant.  They recruited contestants, built sets, produced the show, accompanied the winner to other pageants and events throughout the state, and supported her during her participation in the Miss Georgia Pageant.  In 1972, Bill was pageant chair and he and Diane traveled with Jeri Bradley Briggs throughout her year as Miss Thomasville.

A long-time member of Glen Arven Country Club, he was elected to the Board of Governors and subsequently served as President in 1976.  Of particular interest was the Club's dining room, and he was known to go into the kitchen on occasion and "assist" with food preparation.  During his tenure as Tennis Chairman, the first tennis pro shop was constructed on what is now part of the driving range.

Always civic minded, Bill was elected in 1978 to a four-year term on the Thomasville City School Board.  In January 1981, he was elected to a two-year term as Chairman of the Board.  He was an active member of the THS Boosters and traveled to football games throughout the state supporting his son, Brad, and the team.  Many years later, he enjoyed supporting his Thomasville grandchildren in their sports activities at Brookwood School.

When his children were members of the Thomasville Music and Drama Troupe, he was active in the Parents' Auxiliary and subsequently served the organization as President.  During his association with the group, he became increasingly interested in music, and subsequently persuaded Fred Allen to give him piano lessons.  They bartered a deal… Bill assisted Fred with his garden and Fred provided the piano lessons.

Bill had many interests.  Love of the water led to the fascination with sailboats.  He taught himself to sail by buying a Sunfish and reading a book on how to sail on the way down to the coast.  The Beachton Yacht Club fostered that interest by hosting regattas during the Spring and Summer months.  He joined other local Sunfish owners who gathered on weekends at Alligator Point or other easily accessible coastal destinations to match prowess on the water.  Sunfish regattas only whetted his appetite for sailing and he and Diane became the proud owners of a 32-foot craft named L'ete Sans Fin (Summer without End).  They enjoyed many weekends sailing with friends in and out of Shell Point, matching wits with the wind.

After St. George Island became accessible by a bridge, Bill and Diane purchased an inland lot and began planning for a vacation home.  As a testament to his resourcefulness, Bill began building his home in sections in his garage in Thomasville.  Once the "pre-fab" units were complete, the walls were loaded onto a flatbed trailer and transported to the island.  Friends and family assembled to have an old fashioned "house raising"!  After several years, they purchased a beachfront lot and built a second home which they called "Santana", but this time, they used a contractor.  For many years they happily entertained friends and family at the beach.

After his first trip to France, Bill came home determined to learn to speak French.  He accomplished that.  He read about French cooking and he cooked!  He loved to entertain. Several years ago he accompanied a local chef to the South of France on a cooking excursion, furthering his knowledge and appreciation of French culture and cuisine. The experience was a special memory which he recalled frequently.

Affectionately known as "Grumpy", Bill treasured his children and grandchildren and was treasured in return.  He was blessed with many friends who describe him as loyal, kind, generous, thoughtful, and the perfect gentleman.  He was known for his wonderful sense of humor and quick wit.  He was a great storyteller.  One said he was an example of how one should live life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 52 years, Diane, and brothers Jim Lawson, Wayne Lawson, and granddaughter, Kelly Lawson.

He is survived by his two children: Brad Lawson (Nancy) of Savannah and Shannon Balfour (Charles) of Thomasville.
He is also survived by his long-time, special friend Connie Middleton of Thomasville, and grandchildren: William Thomas Lawson of Champaign, IL; Jennie Allain Lawson of Savannah, GA; Amanda Lea Griffin of Moultrie, GA; Charles Andrew Balfour, Jr. (Melanie) of Thomasville; Christian Hayes Balfour of San Diego, CA; and Honey Balfour of Charlotte, NC.

Additional survivors are great-grandchildren Kurt Balfour and Jay Balfour of Thomasville, and step-great-grandchildren Jax and Kylie Woods of Thomasville;
sisters-in-law Gloria Lawson of Thomasville and Pam Moore of Panama City, FL;
nieces Linda Lawson Cubitt (Ron) of Ochlocknee, GA and Julie Moore of Panama City, FL; nephews Larry Lawson and John Lawson (Carol) of Dania, FL; great nephew Van Seaborn and great niece Cali Seaborn of Panama City, FL; and many dear friends.

The family is grateful for the musical contributions of Joe Ashcraft, Bagpipes, and Teddy Cone, Trumpet.

The family will receive friends at the Lawson home at 106 Goal Court, Thomasville, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.  Memorials may be made to
Dicey's Coat and Blanket Closet, c/o Thomas County Food Bank, P.O. Box 975, Thomasville, GA 31799 or the charity of your choice.