Rev. William A. Lawson, the founding pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, has passed away at the age of 95.
On Tuesday, the church said, "He has completed his time of service here on earth and is now enjoying eternal rest."The Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church was established in the home of Rev. Lawson and his wife, Audrey Hoffman Lawson, in June 1962. He retired in 2004 and was honored as Founding Pastor Emeritus."In his nearly 96 years, Reverend Lawson has served as husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, as well as preacher, professor, and civil rights leader.
"Beyond the walls of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, Lawson has helped change the face of Houston, by leading the battle to desegregate the city. He joined the national civil rights movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by setting up a local office of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference . Dr. King remained a close friend of Lawson’s, until his untimely death," the church wrote.He is also remembered as an advocate for the poor and disenfranchised.
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