William (Bill) Dean Lawrence, age 76, formerly of Newark and Sheridan, IL, passed away on Monday, August 14, 2023, at Clark Memorial Hospital in Jeffersonville, IN. He was born on December 28, 1946, in Decatur, IL to Ralph and Geneva (Burris) Lawrence. Bill served as a Corpsman in the United States Navy. He worked as a General Motors Master Mechanic and Service Manager for many years prior to his retirement. Bill was a member of the Newark Lutheran Church, the Newark American Legion Post #459, and the Plano American Legion Honor Guard.

Bill is survived by his children Mike (Patti) Lawrence of Yorktown, Virginia, and Amy (Daniel) Motchnik of Sellersburg, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Devon (Diana) Vono, Joshua Lawrence, Marcus Motchnik, Jared Lawrence, Gianna Motchnik, Grace Motchnik and Nathan Motchnik; and one great grandson, Griffith Vono; two sisters Mary Hert and Annamarie Arndt; and one brother, Ralph "Bud" Lawrence, Jr.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Gail (Waite) Lawrence, his parents, his brother Richard Lawrence, and his sister Margaret Council.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at Newark Lutheran Church with Pastor Jon Benson officiating. A gathering of family and friends will begin 2 hours before the service.

Inurnment of cremains will be at 3:00 P.M. at the Sugar Grove Cemetery, Sugar Grove, IL, with military honors provided by the Plano American Legion Honor Guard.

Memorials may be directed to Newark Lutheran Church or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Gabel-Dunn Funeral Home Ltd. in Newark. Phone 815-695-5131 or www.dunnfamilyfuneralhome.com