Mr. William Anthony (Bill) Lawson, Sr., affectionately known as  “Uncle Bill” by many, recently celebrated his 100th birthday at the Kinston Community Center with family and friends.

Mr. William A. Lawson, Sr. (Uncle Bill) was born on May 20, 1924, at 1016 University Street here in Kinston to the late Reverend Joseph P. and Bercella Collie Lawson.  He attended Kinston City Schools, which at that time included Lincoln City School, Sampson School and Adkin School.  He graduated from Adkin High School and enrolled at A&T College, now known as North Carolina A&T State University. 

He graduated from A&T in  1946. At A&T, Mr. Lawson was a member of the A&T debating team and traveled extensively to participate in College debates. While at A&T, Mr. Lawson also joined the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated and has remained active since he pledged in 1945.  In 1963, Mr. Lawson received his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the private I-V, League, Columbia University in Manhattan, New York. Mr. Lawson also completed the Institute of Government at UNC-Chapel Hill.  He was among the first African Americans to take Graduate level courses at East Carolina University.

Mr. Lawson is also a veteran who served in the U.S. Army during the World War II era.

Mr. Lawson returned to Kinston and was employed at his High School Alma-mater, Adkin High School.  He worked at Adkin High School for 18 years and served as social studies teacher, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director and yearbook photographer.

After leaving Adkin, Mr. Lawson was later employed by North Carolina Division of Youth Services at Dobbs School as Principal.  Mr. Lawson was the principal at Dobbs School for 19 years.

Mr. Lawson has been very active civically, having served on several boards and commissions, including the Lenoir County ABC Board where he served a term as chairman, the Human Relations Committee, the Lenoir County Council on Aging, and for many years, he delivered Meals on Wheels.

All over eastern North Carolina, Mr. Lawson is known for his photography skills. He has photographed hundreds of weddings and other special occasions.

In May of 2009, the Governor of North Carolina, Governor Beverly Perdue, conferred upon Mr. Lawson the honor of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

Mr. Lawson is a man of integrity, who loves the Lord.  He was a devoted husband to his wife, the late Bonnie Donald Lawson, during their 64 years of marriage.  He is a loving father to his son, Anthony and daughter-in-love, Della; his grandchildren Will Lawson III (Jennifer) and Lori (Hezekiah) Poag III; his great-grandchildren, Hezekiah (Zeke) Poag IV, William (Will Anthony) Lawson, IV and Paisley Marie Lawson Poag.  He loves and is also thankful for his nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and his community.

Mr. Lawson is well beloved by many, and he is affectionately known, as Uncle Bill to all.

He is remembered as a caring teacher, an able administrator, an omnipresent photographer, a civic leader, and a wonderful family man.

In his thank you and closing remarks, Mr. Lawson reminded his family and friends to “continue to do what is right and right will win every time.”