William L. "Bill" Lawrence, 80, Bennington, died Monday, November 14, 2016 at the Salina Regional Health Center after battling leukemia for almost 20 years and lymphoma for almost two years. He was born April 28, 1936 in Quincy, IL to Floyd and Mary (Pickens) Lawrence.

Bill attended many schools as his family moved around the United States. He was a 1954 graduate of Minneapolis High School. On February 11, 1955, Bill was united in marriage with Grace Schur in Minneapolis. They celebrated their 61 ^st wedding anniversary in 2016. Bill worked for KDOT for over thirty years; retiring in 1997 due to failing health.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Dick and Gene.

Survivors are his wife, Grace, of the home; son, Chris and wife Sandy of rural Venedocia, OH; and the godson Chris and Sandy took into their home, John Copeland.

Cremation has been chosen. Visitation will be Thursday from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00. Memorial services will be at 11:00 A.M., Friday at the funeral home. Private family inurnment will be in the Bennington Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Bennington Ambulance. The family is so thankful for the many times they were there to help them.