April 12, 1940 – June 21, 2023
On the morning of Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 11:32 A.M., Mr. Willie B Lawton, age 83, affectionately known as “Bee”, wrote the final chapter of his life, gently closed the book and drifted peacefully into the arms of his Heavenly Father, holding his wife’s hand.
Willie began his journey on April 12,1940, born to the late Louise Johnson (William), but raised by Rebecca Lawton in Brooklyn, NY. At the age of 16, Willie moved to Petersburg, VA and continued his education at Peabody High School. He extended his hand and heart to God and became a member of Mount Olivet Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend L. C. Johnson where he joined the Usher Ministry and ushered for over 50 years. Willie was also an active member of Petersburg Triad and Char-Les Manze, Inc. Social and Civic Club.
Willie began his career in landscaping and worked at Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co. for 24 years until they relocated to Macon, GA. He then he became an employee of Chesterfield County Utilities Department where he retired in 2010 with 24 years of dedicated service and several certificates for job performance.
Willie possessed a generous, kind heart and shared in his own unique way. Nothing he possessed was too good to share with others. He also found great joy in entertaining at his home. He will be truly missed, but fondly remembered by all that knew and loved him.
Willie was a man of strong faith, courage and wisdom and he believed in helping his fellow man.
Willie was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, godfather, brother, brother-in-law, cousin, friend, neighbor and so much more to many that knew him.
Willie truly enjoyed traveling and was blessed to be able to do it extensively. He was also particular about his appearance when he stepped out. Willie always enjoyed smoking his signature imported cigars, dancing and having a cocktail or two.
Willie was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Milton, William, Walter and Andrew Johnson; in-laws, John E. and Lucy B. Hawkins, Sr., Gloria Wyatt, Linda Hawkins and Rose Hawkins.
Willie is survived by: his loving and devoted wife of 56 ½ years, Barbara H. Lawton; three sons, Kelvin Matthews (Denise) of Rochester, NY, Duane Lawton (Regina) of North Chesterfield, VA and Willie Demerio Lawton (Tanicka) of South Chesterfield, VA; grandsons, Kelvin Matthews, Jr., Duane Lawton, Jr., Raiden Lawton, Aaron Orange, Adrian Orange, and Kenneth Wyatt II; granddaughters, Saniya Lawton, Quianna Matthews, Kemoni Matthews, La’Tayshia Matthews, Amiya Davis, Nirel and Keera Mason; eight great grandchildren all of Rochester, NY; goddaughter, Keisha Mason (Manuel); godsons, Melvin C. Ellis III (MeJay) and Kenneth W. Wyatt I; sisters, Louise J. Thomas and Delores Johnson of Brooklyn, NY; brothers and sisters-in-law, John E. Hawkins, Jr., Stanley M. Hawkins (Pearl), Ethel H. Purdie (Wilbert), James H. Hawkins (Diane), Shelia H. Ellis, and Larry D. Hawkins, Sr. (Virginia); three devoted friends, Shirley Tarrant of Raleigh, NC, Jim Padgett of Manson, NC and Thomas Geter of Petersburg, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family of Willie B. Lawton would like to thank you for your prayers, thoughts, phone calls and visits during his illness and passing.
A special thanks to Reverend Brian A. Walker and the Providence Baptist Church family, Reverend Dr. Wesley K. McLaughlin and the Mount Olivet Baptist Church family, Dr. Ojediran, Virginia Cancer Institute, and Bon Secours Southside Medical Center Staff.
Services will be held 1:00 P.M., Saturday, July 1, 2023, at Mount Olivet Baptist Church, 800 Augusta Avenue, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. Wesley K. McLaughlin, Pastor, eulogist. The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.
J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.