William "Bill" Lawson, Jr., D.D.S., of Garland, Texas, passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Born on July 4, 1952, in Dallas, Bill lived a life marked by kindness, humor, faith, and dedication to others.

A proud graduate of Garland High School's Class of 1970, Bill went on to earn a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1975. He continued his education at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he received a master's degree in science education in 1980. Early in his career, he served as the Planetarium Director for the Garland Independent School District, sharing his love of science and the stars with students from 1976 to 1984.

Answering a new calling, he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in 1988. For more than three decades, he faithfully served the Garland community as a compassionate and skilled dentist, practicing from 1988 until his retirement in 2020.

Faith was central to Bill's life. He was a longtime member of Axe Memorial United Methodist Church in Garland and later worshiped at Lake Highlands United Methodist Church in Dallas. Most recently, he was a member of First Global Methodist Church in Dallas, where his faith continued to shape and inspire his life and the lives of others.

Bill had an adventurous spirit and a deep love for seeing the world — from backpacking across Europe with Diana in his early twenties to sailing from Spain to the U.S. Virgin Islands after his retirement, and many adventures with Diana and his family in between, Bill loved seeing new places and exploring God's creation with the people he loved.

Bill's greatest joy was his family. He married the love of his life, Diana Hickman Lawson, in 1974, and together they built a life full of love. He is survived by Diana and their beloved children: William Gregory "Billy" Lawson and his wife, Kelly; and Bryan Robert Lawson and his wife, Lucy. Bill was a proud and devoted grandfather to Eisley, Jubilee, and Lucky Lawson, who brought him endless delight.

He is also lovingly remembered by his siblings, Nancy Tompros; Janice Tullos and husband, Richard; and Guy Lawson and wife, Paula; his sisters-in-law, Susan Ratcliff and husband, Carl; and Suzanne Hickman; as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Lawson, Sr. and Leona Kirby Lawson; his sister, Sharon Lawson; and brothers-in-law, John Tompros and Lester Hickman, Jr., M.D.

To know Bill was to know a man of deep intellect, gentle spirit, and quiet strength. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched.

We will celebrate Bill's life at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at Williams Funeral Home in Garland, TX. Hawaiian shirts are welcome.

Memorial contributions can be directed to Mercy Ships (mercyships.org) or Feed Lake Highlands (feedlakehighlands.org).