William Edward Lawson, affectionately known as Bill, was born on July 26,1948, at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ, to Charles and Garnette Lawson. The youngest of three children, he was raised in the church and attended Second Baptist Church in Keyport, NJ.
William graduated from Keyport High School and soon after enlisted in the US Air Force. A dedicated military man, he served abroad during the Vietnam War era. He continued working with the military at Fort Monmouth Army Base in Monmouth County, NJ for over 25 years before retiring from the Department of the Army in April 2004.
It was while he was stationed at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma that William met and married Reta Robinson in 1969. From this union, he had three children: Mario, Michelle and Marcia. He received his license to preach the Gospel in August 1970 from Macedonia Baptist Church and received his Certificate of Ordination from New Hope Baptist Church in May 1972. He pastored his first church at Macedonia Baptist Church in Altus, Oklahoma and remained there until the family relocated to Freehold, NJ in 1978.
While ministering at Second Baptist Church in Freehold, Rev. Lawson accepted the call to pastor Second Baptist Church in Toms River, NJ in March 1983. The church prospered under his leadership until he resigned in February 1989.
William’s second marriage was to Linda Young. They made their home in Brielle, NJ in April 1989. Linda later passed away peacefully on February 12, 2022. In October 2000, William married Gail West and was with her until she was promoted to glory on April 21, 2022. Reta, William’s first wife and the mother of his children, went to be with the Lord on January 9, 2023. William suffered a lot of loss in a short period of time but he never lost faith in his Heavenly Father.
For almost 40 years, Rev. William E. Lawson served the New Jersey Conference as Pastor of St. Thomas A.M.E. Zion Church in Tinton Falls, NJ, Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church in Ridgewood, NJ, Williams Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Passaic, NJ and St. Luke’s A.M.E. Zion Church in Westfield, NJ.
Rev. William E. Lawson had many accomplishments, including, but not limited to: Police Chaplain, Passaic, NJ, Instructor of Homiletics for the New Jersey Conference Course of Study for Ministers, Member of the New Jersey Conference Finance Committee, Member of the New Jersey Conference Board of Examiners, Chair of the New Jersey Conference Nominating Committee, Chair of the Jersey City District Budget Committee, and Delegate and Alternate Delegate to A.M.E. Zion Church General Conferences. The City of Westfield also honored him for providing outstanding community service, remembering his charge to “...not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” - Hebrews 13:16
Rev. William Edward Lawson was called to rest with the Lord on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at the age of 77. He was predeceased by his parents Charles and Garnette Lawson, his siblings Dolores Reels and Charles Lawson, Jr., and his aforementioned spouses. He leaves to mourn his three children, Mario Robinson, Michelle Lawson and Marcia Lawson; his two grandchildren, Justin Lawson and Taylor Battle; his stepson John West, and a host of cousins and church family members throughout the state and country.
