William Archibald Lawrence
August 22, 1938 – May 2, 2025
Bill passed away on Friday May 2nd in his 87th year, surrounded by his family at Victoria Hospital in London, Ontario, after a battle with cancer.
Bill was married to his beloved wife, Shirley (McCandless) for 59 wonderful years. He was an outstanding father to his two children, Elizabeth (Steven Maloney) and Dr. David Lawrence and proud grandpa of his two grandchildren, Kyle and Kate Maloney whom he loved and cherished with his whole heart.
Bill was also a loving uncle to Lisa Guthrie (Luc Sabourin) and Paul Guthrie (Mary) as well as a supportive brother-in-law to Stewart Guthrie. Predeceased by his parents, Wilfred and Jean Lawrence (Core) and his beloved sister Carroll Guthrie (Lawrence).
Bill was born and raised in Sarnia, Ontario, where he enjoyed time in the summer as a border patrol officer on the Bluewater Bridge. Bill’s love of learning and inquisitive nature led him to the University of Western Ontario where he obtained his Master’s degree in Geography. His pursuit of a PhD was cut short when his father passed away. Bill’s artistic abilities landed him a job of sketching maps for Oxford University Press. Many of his maps were found in the Oxford Atlas frequented by students and staff throughout Ontario. Imperial Oil pursued him to join their urban planning department to determine where to place gas stations, but it was a shortage of teachers that caught and held his interest. Teaching was his true passion and calling. He taught high school for 36 years, with his career beginning in Cornwall and continuing to Niagara Falls, where he met a young Phys-ed teacher who caught his eye and heart. Bill moved with Shirley to London, Ontario, where they both continued teaching while raising a family. When asked how his day went, Bill’s response was always, “it’s just another day in paradise” and he meant it. To him, teaching allowed him to interact with young people who kept him energetic and sparked him to educate, not only about geography, but about world issues and the importance of paying it forward. Bill was a member of the congregation at St. Jude’s Anglican Church where he participated in supporting the homeless and underprivileged by providing meals, clothing and kindness. He was always willing to spare a dollar to those in need. He created an understanding in his children and grandchildren of the importance of grace and kindness to all of God’s creatures.
In Bill’s final years he enjoyed travelling, collecting Indigenous art and antiques, reading, running and working out, especially while vacationing in Florida with his family. He was a generous, classy, modest, intelligent, artistic soul whose influence and love will be in our hearts forever. His storytelling was legendary.
A visitation will take place on Friday May 9th from 5-7 PM at Harris Funeral Home, 220 St. James St. at Richmond, London. A funeral service will follow on Saturday May 10th at 10:00 AM at St. Jude’s Anglican Church, 1537 Adelaide Street North, London. Donations can be made to the Church of St. Jude or a charity of your choice.
Bye, for now, Bill. We know you are enjoying another day in paradise.