The Rev. William Lawson, a pastor and civil rights leader who helped desegregate Houston and collaborated with Martin Luther King Jr., died Tuesday at the age of 95.
Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, where Lawson served for more than 40 years before retiring in 2004; announced his death.
“It is with indescribable sadness and overwhelming gratitude that we announce the passing of our founding pastor, Rev. William A. Lawson, on May 14, 2024. and is now enjoying eternal rest,” Wheeler said. Avenue Baptist Church said in a statement.
“During his nearly 96 years, Reverend Lawson was not only a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, but also a preacher, professor, and civil rights leader. But there are no words to describe him. Even though he used his title, Reverend Bill Lawson has been described as the ‘Pastor of Houston.’
The Rev. William Bill Lawson, a longtime pastor and civil rights leader who helped desegregate Houston and collaborated with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in the civil rights movement, has died at the age of 95. https://t.co/Srn123JgOI
— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 15, 2024
Lawson founded Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in 1962, which quickly became a center of civil rights activity in Houston. Lawson also helped establish the regional office of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a civil rights organization led by Martin Luther King Jr. (Related: Callista and Newt Gingrich: Americans still believe in Dr. King’s dream).
Democratic Houston Mayor John Whitmire praised Lawson’s lasting influence on the city’s growth and his steadfast commitment to civil rights issues, NBC News reported.
“One of the reasons our city is great is because of his presence. He helped us in the era of civil rights and social justice,” Whitmire said, according to NBC News. “Houston benefited from his leadership and character.”
