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Obituary For Willie E. Lawrence
Willie Edward “Eddie” Lawrence was born on August 10, 1944, in Wake County, North Carolina, to the late Robert McLeod and Colleen Lawrence Stocks. After a period of declining health, on the morning of Thursday, February 5, 2026, Willie entered into his heavenly rest.
Willie graduated from Fuquay Consolidated High School in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, in 1963. In his younger days, he attended First Baptist Church, in Fuquay-Varina. Later, he attended United Pentecostal Church in Lillington, North Carolina, where he sang with the male chorus. He married Betty Lorraine Merritt on November 7, 1970. They had two children, Brandy Lawrence and Jesse Lawrence.
Upon graduating, Willie worked at Micthell Chevrolet and EB Banks Construction in Fuquay Varina. He joined the United States Army in 1965, embarking on a 24-year military career that he carried with great pride and honor.
Sergeant Willie Edward Lawrence retired from the United States Army in 1989, having attained the rank Sergeant First Class (E-7) after a distinguished career of faithful and dedicated service. Throughout his 24 years in uniform, he was recognized for his courage, leadership, and unwavering commitment to duty, earning numerous honors, including three Bronze Star Medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, four Vietnam Service Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, five Good Conduct Medals, three Overseas Service Ribbons, and the Army Service Ribbon. His decorations stand as a lasting testament to a life devoted to service, sacrifice, and country.
Willie was known to all who knew him for his generous heart, kind spirit, and steadfast willingness to help others. He never hesitated to show up when someone was in need. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was always ready with a joke or a military story. The number of lives he touched over the years is beyond measure, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him.
Willie was preceded in death by Betty Lawrence, who shared his life and family for some years, and by his beloved son, Jesse Lawrence.
Willie leaves to cherish his memories: daughter, Brandy Lawrence of Raleigh, NC; sister, Bishop Lillie Mae Bailey of Lillington, NC; two cousins with whom he lived with as siblings and whom he loved as sisters, Sandra Hargrove (Louis) of Fuquay Varina, NC and Betty Sue Wilson of Fuquay Varina, NC; grandchildren, Camron McNeil of Raleigh, NC, Elizabeth Livolsi of Cary, NC, Jaden Livolsi of Holly Springs, NC; godson, Larry Battle of Tarboro, NC; dear friend, Tracy Holiday of Fayetteville, NC and nephew, Terick Nelson of Fuquay Varina, NC both of whom always checked in on him and took him to medical appointments and other places he wanted or needed to go too; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Public Viewing: 12:00 - 4:00 pm on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Trice Funeral Home Chapel, 127 N. West Street in Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526.
Visitation: 11:00 - 11:30 am on Monday, February 23, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526.
Funeral will be held 11:30 am on Monday, February 23, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Fuquay-Varina, 105 N. West Street in Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526.
Burial: Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, 8220 Bragg Blvd in Spring Lake, NC 28390
In Lieu of flowers, please make all donations to The Burton Family Cemetery. Listed below are the ways to donate: Cash App ($BurtonRoots), Zelle (TheBurtonRoots@gmail.com) and PayPal.
https://www.burtonfamilyroots.com/cemetery
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On behalf of our family, I extend our deepest condolences on the passing of our beloved Cousin Willie Edward Lawrence, "Eddie." His life was truly woven into the fabric of our family's story.
Eddie was deeply dedicated to ensuring that the financial needs for the upkeep and burials at our Burton Family Cemetery were handled with honor, dignity, and pride. He cared deeply about preserving our family's legacy, and we are forever grateful for his unwavering commitment and meaningful contributions.
As we celebrate his life today, I lift up our Lawrence family and all who loved and were close to Cousin Eddie in prayer. May we find comfort in the legacy of love, service, and devotion he leaves behind.
Lynn Hunter Posey Burton Family Historian
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With sincere condolences and sympathy. - Mr. and Mrs. Garnell Heggie
Mr. Willie, It don't seem real your gone, you just told me you was tired and ready to go. I seen you over come so much through the years, I thought you'd come home like many times before. Ill forever remember you saying "Sarge". I know your in a good place. I'll see you again!
Will be missed .
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RIP: Uncle Eddie you will be truly missed. There are so many memories I have of you, thank you for taking up time with Aj and telling him about your military days as we set at the creamery on base eating ice cream. Until we met again love you so much Sergeant Willie E. Lawrence.
Condolences to the family🙏
Rest in peace, Willie I'm gonna miss you he was a good friend. Met him in 1984. he treated me just like family.
Mr. Willie was a kind man who treated everyone he met like family. I will miss his life stories and visits with him. Rest in peace Mr. Willie
Mr Willie it was an honor to be your neighbor and to listen to your military stories. You will truly be missed
Rest in peace Uncle Eddie. Take em to the grass when you get there and tell them you are Seargant 1st Class Willie E Lawrence!! Love you and miss you already UNC
Mr. Willie, you will be greatly missed not just by myself but from my kiddos and Mr.Tony. You treated all of us as we were your family. I felt like I knew most of them just by the stories you told. I am blessed to have got a chance to meet you and know you. You will be deeply missed.
We are so very sorry to hear of Willie's passing. We've known him only a short time of his 81 years. We met Willie 20 years ago. He has been such a wonderful friend over the years.He will missed so much .Jesse & Gigi
Take your rest dear cousin. You served us well.
RIP Cousin
To my Uncle Eddie I will always love you. You will be dearly missed from my earliest memory of you from 5 years old. Your favorite saying has been inserted in my head forever Sargent 1st class Willy E L Lawrence may you rest in peace until we meet again i love you Unck.
Uncle Eddie, I'm so grateful for every moment I got to spend with you. You were such a special part of our family, and your presence will be deeply missed. I'll always hold onto the memories we shared and the love you gave so freely. You touched so many lives, and you will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Uncle Eddie. 🤍
R.I.P Cousin Eddie. Your beautiful spirit and smile will always be remembered. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
