Houston is set to bid farewell to one of its most cherished leaders, the Reverend William A. Lawson, a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement and a guiding light for many in the community. Visitation and services to honor the life of the esteemed pastor will be held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, the very church he founded over half a century ago. According to a report by ABC13, the visitation is slated for May 23 with a community service to follow in the evening. The final celebration of Rev. Lawson's immense impact on Houston and the civil rights movement will culminate with a service on May 24 at 11 a.m.
Known affectionately as "Houston's pastor," Rev. Lawson not only worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. but also tirelessly championed equality and social justice throughout his life. Heartfelt messages have poured into social media, with followers expressing their grief and admiration for the late pastor. In a statement obtained by the Houston Chronicle, senior pastor Marcus Cosby said, “We will thank God for the commitment that he had not only to God, but to all of God’s people wherever he found them,”
The loss of Rev. Lawson is mourned by a vast community, including his four children, among them ABC13's Melanie Lawson. Established as a beacon of hope within Houston, he was pivotal in the founding of the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church alongside his wife, Audrey, sharing a life together for 61 years until her passing in 2016. As the city prepares to honor such an influential figure, the scale of the services is expected to be as grand as the legacy he leaves behind. Speaking of Rev. Lawson's enduring legacy, Cosby added, “He was able to stand and be a catalyst for those who needed to know that they had a voice in this community and that they had a seat at the table.”
Church officials described Rev. Lawson's journey as one marked by unwavering zeal to uplift others, with the influence of his work expected to ripple through generations. They shared through social media, as captured in the Houston Chronicle report, that the 95-year-old had "completed his time of service here on earth and is now enjoying eternal rest." Rev. Lawson's death, announced on Tuesday morning, prompted an outpouring of condolences that choked the church's and family's social media pages with messages of love, care, and concern.
