William John Lawrence

William John Lawrence of Mansfield, MA died peacefully at home on January 13, 2025, surrounded by his loving & adoring family. He was 82 years old.

Bill was born in Providence, Rhode Island on July 30, 1942. Raised in Cranston, RI, he was the devoted son of the late William A. Lawrence & Alice (Cota) Lawrence and brother to the late Joan C. Lawrence. He graduated from LaSalle Academy and Rhode Island School of Radio & Electronics, at the top of his class, before starting his 17-year career with Honeywell in Brighton, MA. Bill continued his career with Raytheon Company for 21 years before ‘counting down the Monday’s’ to his retirement at the age of 60. He then fulfilled his lifelong dream of wintering in Florida to avoid the frigid New England weather & all of its crazy drivers.

Bill, affectionately known as Hean to his loving & caring wife of 60 years, Victoria (Rocchio) Lawrence, moved to Mansfield in 1968 and became an active member of Saint Mary’s Parish. Together they proudly raised three wonderful children:  William John Lawrence, Jr. of South Easton, Jean-Marie (Lawrence) Bourque of Mansfield & Jacqueline (Lawrence) Bean of Middleboro. Not only was he an incredibly loving and supportive husband, but also a consummate family man who dedicated his life to the caring and support of his cherished family.

Besides his wife and children, he leaves behind Sharon (Eifes) Lawrence, Bill’s wife, Christopher Bourque, Jean’s husband and Stephen Bean, Jackie’s husband … affectionately known as “the outlaws.”  He also leaves behind eight treasured grandchildren:  Nicholas Bean and his wife Sherren, the late Samantha Marie Bourque, Adam Bourque and his wife Colleen, Alex Bean, Christian Bean and his wife Savannah, Jason Bean, Jenna Lawrence, Courtney Lawrence, and finally his dearly loved great grandchildren Elliana Bean, Mackenzie Bean, Johnathan Bourque and 2 great granddaughters on the way.

Family and friends are invited to St. Mary’s Church, 330 Pratt Street, Mansfield, MA from 10:00 AM to 10:50 AM for visitation with the family on Saturday, February 1, 2025, and a Mass of Christian Burial immediately following at 11:00 AM.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the SMB Foundation.

This foundation was established 12+ years ago in memory of Bill’s granddaughter, Samantha Marie Bourque.  The foundation aids in helping Mansfield High School students with their continuing education, families struggling with a variety of health issues, and families staying at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Please mail checks to:  SMB Foundation, P.O. Box 222, Mansfield, MA 02048, with "In memory of Bill' written in the memo.  Thank You

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