William George (Bill) Lawson was born on January 8, 1946 to Bob and Margaret Lawson in Carman Manitoba. Bill grew up at Maple Grove Farm northeast of Miami, Manitoba with his sister Donna and brothers Ray and Doug.
Bill attended school in Miami, MB for his elementary and high school years. From there, he attended United College to obtain a Bachelor of Science, followed by a Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba. After graduating from University, he taught for six months in Miami and Minnedosa. In 1968 Bill was hired to teach Biology, Chemistry and Math at Souris School. He retired in 2001. He often shared two highlights of his teaching career – he taught all 12 kids in a local Souris family and, due to substitute teaching after retirement, there were times he taught students from three different generations.
While in Souris, he met and married Louise Neufeld. Together, they raised two children, Ryan and Jana. They celebrated 52 years of marriage in August, 2023.
Bill was very much part of the Souris community; conducting St. Paul’s United Church choir for 30 years, organizing school musicals for 15 years, serving on Town Council, and helping with Souris Cardinal baseball teams, Souris Elks and Southwest Cougars hockey teams. Beyond the Souris community, Bill was part of the Hockey Manitoba community, spending years as the Registrar for the Southwest region.
In his spare time, music was an interest of Bill’s. He was one of the founding members of the Westman Youth Choir. The first choir was organized in 1980 and has been a constant in the Westman region for 45 years. He was extremely happy to see Ryan and Gillian sing in the choir.
Bill also enjoyed gardening and all that came with it. From beautiful perennials in their flower beds, to his vegetable garden and indoor plants. Many family and friends enjoyed a jar of salsa or “Bill’s Dills” pickles prepared by him. He shared slips of his family Christmas cactus to anyone who showed an interest.
Bill was predeceased by Louise; his loving wife of 52 years in October 2023. Parents, Bob and Margaret Lawson, mother and father-in-law, Hilda and Abe Neufeld, brother-in-law Mac Draper and nephew Derek Smith.
Bill will be deeply missed by his children; son Ryan (Allison) daughter Jana, and four grandchildren; Gillian, Barrett, Jasper and Willa. Bill will also be missed by: his sister Donna (Tony) Smith, brothers; Ray (Gwen) Lawson, Doug (Signey) Lawson; Sisters-in-Law Betty Draper, Jeanne (Don) Lewis; Brothers-in-Law Bob (Alexis) Neufeld and Ed (Janice) Neufeld, Step mother-in-law Sadie Neufeld, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
Funeral Service was held on Friday September 19, 2025 at St. Paul’s United Church, with the Venerable Jonathan Hoskin officiating. St. Paul’s Choir sang an anthem (Thy Will be Done) with a solo by Grant Jackson.
The family would like to thank everyone at Cancer Care in Brandon, the nurses on the third floor at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, Dr. Ahweng, but most importantly Dr. Cram and the nurses at the Souris Health Centre. Bill was so happy to go back home, and the care he received while in Souris was second to none.
Donations may be made to the Souris & Glenwood Foundation Box 518 Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0, or to the Westman Youth Choir Box 1116 Virden, Manitoba R0M 2C0.
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Bill will be remembered fondly by all that got the pleasure of knowing him. He was a wonderful teacher, great community supporter and a great combine driver too! Hugs to you all.
Ryan and Jana and extended family. Bill was a great school teacher and life teacher. He will be missed by all who loved and knew him. Our thoughts are with everyone at this time. Hang on to the memories, they will sustain you in the years to come.
Sheila Hollyoake and Wayne Williams
My thoughts and prayers go out to Jana, Ryan and family at this very sad time. Bill will be greatly missed in the Souris Community and by all his past students and staff at SCI.
Dear Jana, Ryan and family- when your Dad came to Souris in the early 70’s, he quickly became a great community supporter and volunteer. So many of us (hundreds!!) were so lucky to have also counted him as one of their best teachers. And our family was so lucky to have been neighbours with your family for so many years❤️. Bill called each of us Lang kids every year on our birthdays – that’s just an example of the many things he did that made a huge impact on so many lives. Hugs to you all.
Ryan, Jana and families,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Keep your memories close.
Betty Tanguay
My deepest condolence to Ryan, Jana and families in the loss of your dad. Heaven’s angelic choir just received another powerful voice.
To Ryan, Allison, Jana and Family. We were so sorry to hear about the loss of Bill. He was a great teacher and we will certainly miss our visits at the hockey rinks. Hugs to you all.
Sandra and Wayne Moyer.
Condolences to Ryan and Jana and your families. Your dad was one of those teachers that leaves a lasting impact on his students, in the classroom, on the sports field and on the stage. I will cherish my last conversation with him.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time! Cherish the memories you have made.
Bill will be missed. Take care
Jana, Ryan and family,
Thinking of you all during this difficult time. Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Please find comfort in all the incredible memories you have with him. Hugs to you all
Sorry to hear of the passing of Bill. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad and difficult time.
Sincerely,
Dean and Donna Couvier
Condolences to Jana, Ryan and family. He had a smile and energy that could light up the room!
To all the family, we are sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
So sorry to hear of your loss. There will be so many fond memories or your dad, grandpa. He will be sadly missed by his family and the community.
Sincere sympathy from Brian & Kathie Saunderson
So very sorry for your loss. Hugs to you alll.
Sending out our deepest sympathy to the Lawson family in the loss of Bill. Everyone who knew Bill will have great memories. He will be missed in the church choir as well – such a wonderful voice! Louise will be waiting for him with open arms. Take care and know that we are all thinking of you at this sad time.
The Turner’s @ Carroll
Jana, Ryan and family, sending condolences to all.
Very sorry for your loss.
Sorry to hear of Bill passing.. Great teacher but most of all a great person. My condolences to the families.
My deepest sympathies to Bill’s family and friends. So sorry I can’t be at the service on Friday. He will be missed by the whole community.
My condolence to Ryan, Jana, and your extended family for your loss. I was able to share a hallway and the Chem Lab with your Dad for over thirty years. Dad was a passionate educator, very professional in his approach, and I saw first hand that he made a difference in the lives of so many of his students. Your Dad was an instrumental part of that great staff that did Souris School proud throughout his career. His many contributions to the Souris Community will be missed; however, that involvement generates memories and Bill leaves us with many. Be very proud of your Dad’s legacy.
We had the absolute pleasure of meeting Bill when he stopped by the house. We have heard so many lovely stories about Bill and its very apparent how important he was to Souris and the surrounding communities. Our sincerest condolences to Ryan, Jana, family and friends.
With respect,
Jim and Charles Sloane
Ryan, Jana and family.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your dad and grandpa. He will be missed by many. May happy memories help you through a sad time.
Donna Strath
Condolences to the family at this time.
“ Doc “ was one of those guys that just makes communities better, from being an educator, member of the choir, commentating the cardinals & helping with many hockey teams… he left his mark on this town. Rest easy doc, ya done good
So sad to hear of your Dad and grandpas death. His friendly hello and visits will be missed by many as well as all he did in the community. Louise and him are together again lovingly watching over you all. Sincere and heartfelt sympathy sent to all.
Our sincere eyampthies for the loss of Bill Lawson. I have very fond memories of Bill as my Chemistry teacher . He was a dedicated teacher and I am very honored to have known Bill. He always had a smile on his face and ready to help you out if you needed it. I will cherish my memories. Sympathies to his family and cherish the great memories.
Ryan, Jana and family
Condolences to all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Butch and Lynne Locke
Deepest condolences to Lawson family. Your Dad was such a great man. Got to be neighbors with both Bill and Louise for such a short time. Louise brought me Bill’s jam and biscuits while moving in. RIP both as you reunite with each other.
Our deepest sympathies to the families of Mr. Lawson, as I knew him from school. he was a very fair and compassionate teacher who earned my respect as a very good man
In our times of offering ministry to St. Paul’s Souris the support of Bill and Louise was always there for us. What they gave was always generous and gracious. Now that they are both gone there is deep sense that what was separated is now together. Forever in love
With gratitude
Doug and Milo
To the Lawson Family
My sincere sympathy to all of you in the loss of Bill. A great teacher, mentor to many and talents too numerous to count! A very kind and considerate man – a good friend.
Cherish those memories
Pat McKay
To Ryan and Jana you both know what an incredible Father (and Mother, Louise) you both had. Both a huge part of Souris as choir director and oh so many other things. You can know how much they were loved and respected. they loved their grandchildren so very much and the both of you even more. Memories help so much, tears of sadness tears of great Memories will help you now and in the future. Most of all remember their love for you.
To the Lawson and Neufeld families
Our deepest condolences on the loss of Bill. He was a special person and will be greatly missed. Mom very much looked forward to his weekly telephone calls and appreciated him taking the time to update her on the family.
Dear Jana, Ryan, Allison and all your family,
Doc was a much loved friend and teacher to two generations of students in our family. He introduced the joy of musical theatre to Souris School, and ensured that music and sports thrived in our community thanks to his involvement.
He and Louise were gracious hosts and I treasure the recipes they generously shared.
Your Dad fit so much into his life. We are thankful that your parents are together again, and for all they meant to our family and community.
With sympathy and love,
Pam Whitfield
Caleigh, Brynna and Seth Walker
Ralph Whitfield
Condolences to the Lawson families, on Bill’s passing.
Condolences to the Lawson family. Bill was a phenomenal person who believed in family and community. He was a great educator and most importantly a fine gentleman who had time for all. May he rest in peace
Dear Jana,
We were sorry to read of your father’s passing. We send our sincere sympathy.
Thinking of you.
Gary and Barbara Watt
Jana, Ryan and family. So very sorry for your loss. Both your mom and dad were great people. They were always the friendliest people- always had time for a visit. They willl be great missed.
Ryan, Jana & family,
Our thoughts & prayers are with you all at this most difficult time. Your mom & dad were great friends & neighbours. They will be missed by many.
JoAnn & Bill Robinson
Lisa Bullion
Rob & Paul Robinson
Our thoughts and prayers to the Lawson family. Your parents meant so much to so many. From my brother discovering he could sing and dance in Doc’s version of the Wizard of Oz, to Doc helping me discover that I love chemistry to the point that I have been a chemist now for 35 years. Take heart in knowing that your Mom and Dad made a difference in many, many lives.
Dear Ryan and Jana,
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Your dad’s gift wasn’t only in teaching drama and music—it was in creating a place where we felt seen and connected. That legacy lives on in the paths we chose and the communities we build. I’m thankful for his guidance and will remember him with great respect. Take Care.
I was a little girl with a toothless grin who played a small but important role in Bill and Louise’s life … I was their flower girl at their wedding! I always thought my older cousin Louise was so beautiful, and she married such a handsome man. When Ryan arrived, I remember them letting me hold him and I felt so special. Although I didn’t see them much after that, I will always remember them both with a lot of love in my heart.
Love Alynn x0x0
I was so very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing after his funeral was already over. I would have loved to have been there to celebrate this great man’s life with so many of us who owe our first experience with choral music to him. What a wonderful man, and what he did for SO many young people in WestMan through helping, for decades, provide the opportunity for gifted teen singers, from every corner of our region, to sing choral music at an advanced level. The WestMan Youth Choir is a bastion of Manitoba’s youth choirs due to the unswerving dedication and leadership of Bill and his Neepawa colleague Brian Bailey, as well as the original visionary conductors Derek Morphy and Earl Davey, and the many, many volunteers who have been, in turn, inspired to support WMYC over the years. That program has changed so many lives — like my own — for the better, and been the springboard for so many alumni who went on to become professional musicians and music educators. May it continue to do so for many more decades to come. While I know Bill served his community in many, many ways throughout his life, this was my relationship with him, and what I will always, always be so thankful to him for. And also to his wife, Louise, for the support she gave him to do this important work — what a lovely lady she was. God go with you, Bill. I’m sure you have already warmed your seat in the ranks of the heavenly chorus, and perhaps are even running a sectional, or serving on the board! I look forward to joining you someday. My sincerest sympathies and condolences to all of the Lawson family & friends.