Bill's Memorial Service
June 12, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Riley's Tavern 8894 FM 1102 New Braunfels, Texas 78132
Casual Dress & Bring Your Instrument if you want to play-
2:00 p.m. – Welcome &
Fellowship
2:30 p.m. – Eulogy: Greg Lawson – Song by Wayne Napier
3:00 p.m. – Eulogy: Sandy Napier – Memories of Bill’s
friends
3:30 p.m. – Gene Milligan & Virginia Davis –
Bill’s friends open mic
5:00 p.m. – ConcludeWilliam - Bill -
Billy Ray - Clayton Lawson, 67 years old, was born on April 20, 1953 in Thompson, Georgia, and died unexpectedly on or about April 5, 2021 in his beloved San Marcos, Texas.
While Bill was a caring and kind brother, he was also a dear and cherished friend. His kindness and generosity are an inspiration to us all.
In 1969, Bill began his love for Central Texas when his family moved to Austin. He attended McCallum High School and quickly discovered his fondness of Lake Travis and Enchanted Rock. It was there he, his family and many other friends enjoyed swimming, hiking, camping, climbing and discovered the influences of many of Mother Nature's herbal remedies and libations. In his early twenties he travelled with brother Skip, his sister Sandy and other friends to Colorado; a trip in which his memories of the mountains, rivers, and an old man named Pete, would last a lifetime. In Wyoming, he would later climb the Grand Tetons and Devil's Tower.
At a young age, Bill had desired to travel to Europe and in1988 flew from Austin to Zurich. He adventured through Switzerland, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Croatia, Germany and other countries. Along the way he met fellow travelers Christian, Stan, Kerri, Terry, Tony, and Megan whose exploits now only exist on faded post cards sent to their American friend
"Villy." And also there were the two days with Michelle, who left him from a Swiss train station with his camping stove, his rain fly, and his heart.
Bill was blessed to be a part of Austin's burgeoning music industry, attending many shows at clubs like the Austin Opry House, The Continental Club, and of course the Armadillo World Headquarters. College relocated him to San Marcos where he attended Southwest Texas State University. There and in New Braunfels he created a new life. While Bill worked in healthcare at the Austin State Hospital and spent decades in painting and construction, his true passion and vocation was as a musician. Bill was a talented songwriter and guitarist, however he made his musical success recording and playing bass all over Texas with the brilliant musicians of bands such as Doc Sully, King Slim, Wayne Hancock, Hunker Down, Rumbullion, Joel Hofmann Band, and Wanda Jackson, to name a few. The people in these bands and many other friends became his new family--they made him happy and he was so very grateful to them all. More than they will ever know.
Bill was preceded in death by his father, Bruce Adams Lawson; and his mother, Evelyn Marie Pottinger Lawson. He is survived by his brother, Bruce (Skip) Adams Lawson Jr.; his sister, Sandy Marie Napier and her husband, Wayne Napier; his little brother, Gregory Howard Lawson and his wife Lynn Jarrett-Lawson; his nephews, Chad Lawson and Cooper Lawson; his great niece, Jaycee Lawson; his great nephew Cohen Lawson and his many friends to include Gene Milligan, Joel Hofmann and the Hofmann Family.
Bill's memorial service will be held on June 12, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Riley's Tavern 8894 FM 1102 New Braunfels, Texas 78132, where stories will be told and music will be played.
Please leave a memory or tribute.