William "Billy" B. Lawson
January 8, 1960 ~ November 15, 2013
William Billy Brundege Lawson, Jr., Beloved Husband, Father, Son and Brother. Age 53 of Forest Lake, died unexpectedly on November 14, 2013. Survived by wife, Krystal; children, Noah, Hannah, Wyatt; parents, William Sr. Ruth; brothers, Gary (Rose), Darren (Joan), Damon (Kathy), Greg (Dede); many loving family members and friends who will miss him dearly. Billy had too many accomplishments and talents to count. He made everything look easy. A reception to celebrate Billys life will be held Noon- 4:00pm, Sunday, November 24th at Stellas on 97, 7050 Scandia Tr. N (Hwy 97), Forest Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to http://www.goodguyopen.com/
My sincere condolences to you and your family. Revelation 21:4 make this promise, it says: ” And he (God) will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more, neither will morning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” What a beautiful promise, we all look forward, from our loving Creator, (Jehovah God, Psalm 83:18). May the God of peace be with you and your family.
Sincerely Yours,
Brandy Molina
To the Lawson and Becker Families –
I’m very sorry to hear of your loss and my heart goes to each of you at this time. I was fortunate to have worked with Billy when a group of us sat in the basement of the Hennepin Square building coding the 5.0 product suite — from scratch that is! He was listening to Bob Dylan a lot in those days. I was just starting out in the business then and I appreciated his support and the way he made work fun. People were always drawn to him, a natural-born leader with his own unique maverick-style, whether that was on a software project, the basketball court, or just hanging out.
Peace to you all …
To Krystal and the entire Lawson family,
I just learned of this news when meeting Nancy Herzog for coffee yesterday and wanted to send my condolences. What good fortune I had to have known Billy while working at Lawson Software. He was one of the most intelligent and authentic colleagues I have known. I continue to model many of the ‘Lawson’ principles in my profession today. Billy’s influence was part of shaping these principles. His non-conformist thinking influenced the technology world beyond Lawson Software. Peace to you.
Dear Krystal I just hear today of your husband death and I’m so sorry to hear the news. My deepest sympathy. Please pass my sympathy onto your kids. Sue Parker
Krystal,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May knowing that you’re in the hearts and thoughts of others help you and your family through this time of sorrow.
May God watch over your family. Sometimes things happen and we just cannot explain them, only accept their reality. It has been over ten years since I was a part of Lawson work family. But I do remember Billy and all that he did. We will keep you all in our prayers.
Dear Krystal and family.
With deepest sympathy. So sorry to hear this. Our thoughts an prayers go out to you. From all of my siblings. May peace be with you.
When thinking of Billy i can’t stop thinking back to his contagious smile. Every time I would be in the same room as Billy he would be engaged in a conversation full of laughter. Apart from his smile and Papa’s good looks he has so much to be proud of. Billy has developed a wonderful loving family in which his traits of having such a contagious smile and creating laughter have undeniably been passed on. I know when going anywhere that involved the Lawson’s it would be a great time. Billy has touched many lives and is a role model for many. He will always make me smile just thinking of Billy but he also makes me smile thinking of the people he has around him. His memory will always remind me of his family because there is so much of him in them that he will never be forgotten. Remember Billy, his love, his family, and allow those memories to help keep your head up and looking forward for tomorrow. His love for you will not fade and even though he his not here today, know he will always be apart of you and a part of your everyday.
Bye Billy,
i remember playing basketball for Roosevelt middle school and playing against Billy, man I hated that guy, he was so good and they beat us bad every game. then things all changed when he came to play basketball with us at Blaine high School, it was awesome. I had a lot of great times playing basketball with Billy and also enjoyed time with him on the golf team. i also enjoyed one year at St. cloud state as his roommate, those were great times.of course as time goes by you lose contact, I would run into Billy at one of his son’s basketball games and recently seen him at Blaine high school watching his niece play Volleyball for the Bengals. We are going to miss you Billy, my thoughts and prayers go out to Krystal and the whole family.
Billy,
Thanks for making me laugh so hard and so often! And thanks for sharing your time with us all. I wish that we could have crossed paths in person one day, as I’m sure it would only have served to further cement a friendship, one that I would have counted myself lucky to have, like so many others who were close to you. May your memory live on and inspire us all. You will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace, Billy.
So sorry to hear about your loss. Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Krystal and families so sorry to hear about your loss, Billy was an amazing man.
Billy was a kind, caring, and generous man. Billy and Krystal have had a huge impact on our community. I am thankful for their tremendous support of our athletic programs at Forest Lake. I am honored to have been able to work with Noah, Hannah, and Wyatt in the classroom and on the playing fields. They are a reflection of the goodness of Billy and Krystal. Carry on the legacy with courage and love!
The last time I saw Billy he snatched my purse and took off running in the Heathrow Airport. I was freaked out until I saw Richard and Pat standing nearby. It had been years since I had seen any of them but it was as though no time had passed. Billy’s easy smile, playfulness, and sense of humor were still in check.
Having worked for the Lawson family I know they are a close knit family and will be there for Krystal and her kids. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
Krystal and family, so sorry to hear of your loss, may God wrap His loving arms around you all. It has been many years since I have seen Billy, but who could ever forget him. I can still see him flashing that great smile…
Peace be with you.
Krystal and Hannah, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family. There will be a new guitar solo in God’s band from now on. The Gradins are sending our love from Clearwater. Lights on for Billy!
To the Lawson and Becker families, words can not begin to tell you how very sorry we are for you to lose such a Great Man way to early in life. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this time of healing.
May God bless and strengthen you all.
We Love you all.
To the Entire Lawson and Becker Families,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Love The McKinnons
Getting to know Billy and the WHOLE Lawson family all the way down to the kids and watching them grow! Billy was a True friend. Playing Softball with Krystal & her sisters. Rick Lawson was the Pitcher. Playing Golf with the family in the Good Guy Open. Billy you will be missed every day of my life GOD BLESS ! Krystal God Bless you and the Kids!
I didn’t know Billy personally, but I did have the opportunity to observe his interactions with his nieces and nephews as I photographed their weddings. I saw him to have a sparkle in his eyes as he looked at them and interacted with them. It was the kind of sparkle that says, “I love you unconditionally.” He fully enjoyed the festivities and as an observer, it appeared to me that those who were in his presence enjoyed the moment because of the beautiful smile he shared that said, “laugh with me because this is a great time to laugh and enjoy life.” I know that death brings more tears than a person can imagine, but I hope that you can find joy in knowing that even an observer felt joy in Billy, the uncle’s presence.
Krystal you have been blessed to have real love. Many people never have that, and your Children were blessed to have a wonderful, caring Father. I truly ache for you all. Prayers to Lawson and Becker family…..
Somewhere I think I still have a John Prine cassette that belongs to Billy… Billy was a kind and generous soul with a quick wit and a quick laugh. Every memory of Billy brings a smile.
My friend Billy:
Billy used to point out to me how down to earth his father was, which Bill Sr. showed by living in a humble home and driving a car that had a hole in the floor so big you could see the road you were driving over. He was so proud of his father, and there was always great love in his voice for him. Billy did not like formality either. He used to keep a formal jacket on his office door for emergencies, but I never once saw him in that jacket. The one time I saw it used was one weekend in the old Lawson building, when my daughter, Priya, wore it like a long dress over some clothes she had ruined running around the office with the other kids while all the daddies were working hard on developing some cool stuff. He loved to tease me for living in North Oaks and for my car. I used to tell him that he would change his lifestyle once Lawson went IPO. But he remained the same – down to earth Billy.
Priya thought Uncle Billy looked so cool playing his guitar that she wanted one too. He taught Priya how to play guitar. She took it with her to NY when she decided to go to high school there, and we still have it in our country house in NY. Knowing that my son, Vishal, had sensitive ears to sharp A notes, he always played something with either no A notes or a muted A. Vishal used to dance around to the sound of Billy’s soothing music.
Billy always tries to see the positive side of things. Some of us used to cook together, taking turns to try various recipes. Billy never once made negative comments over my experimental dishes. Thanks Billy! That huge oyster wasn’t easy to swallow for Midwesterners for sure. Tee Hee!!!
Billy had a deep and caring love for his family members. He used to tell me how much he loved his aunt every single time we drove by her house in Ham Lake. It sounded like she certainly taught him how to have fun. I won’t disclose details to protect the young ones here. LOL. He told us the same story so many times – maybe in part due to some absentmindedness, but I think more because he wanted to share his love for her with us. Once in a while we shared stories about ups and downs with our siblings, but I never heard him saying anything negative or bad things about others, not even once!
His name Billy brings smiles to my face.
Thank you Billy for our fun memories.
Billy was an incredibly nice, kind man! He touched an enormous amount of people My thoughts are with you and your family!
Krystal and Hannah, may God be with you in this time of sadness. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. May the support of family and friends be with you.
It’s a struggle to find the words to express our sadness. From working on projects on Stinson, to his generosity with Scotty, to crashing the Christmas party at your home. Billy will always be remembered as a good man. You will be missed. Our thoughts go out to the entire Lawson family.
Billy was a very kind and generous man. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. So long, pal.
Tom
Dan and I have great memories of Billy during our many years at Lawson. He would light up a room whenever he came around a corner, and leave smiles on the faces of everyone in the room when he left it. Our prayers are with Krystal, the kids and the entire Lawson family.
I met Billy for the first time after an 8th grade basketball game. His smile and great attitude that day is something I never forgot. I enjoyed all the sports we played together, the card games, and the time we spent working together. Billy will forever remain in my memory. Our prayers are with you all.
We got to know Billy and Krystal through boy’s basketball. Billy was always kind, positive, and encouraging to the boys. Billy loved music, and we enjoyed listening to him at Stella’s (as part of a trio), and solo at Max’s Groove House. He was a gem. So funny, so kind, and so humble. Such a sweet man. Krystal, Noah, Hannah, & Wyatt, We are so sorry for your loss. Please know the love and prayers of many are with you now, and will be in the days to come. May God bless you.
It has been many years, but the entire Lawson family is often on my mind as I cherish the many wonderful opportunities I was given as a result of knowing each of you. I worked directly with Billy for a while and he was a great team mate! To Krystal and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire family. God’s peace be with you!
Thoughts and prayers to Krystal and the Lawson family. I was able to golf with Billy just a couple of weeks ago with Noah joining us. It was the first time I had ever golfed with Billy and the first time I spent time with him in years. I found he hadn’t changed much. Much of the conversation revolved around our families and our kids. I truly enjoyed that round and was looking forward to reconnecting will Billy more this coming golf season. Billy, we miss you.
Krystal and family, Our family is saddened by the loss of Billy. He was such a gentle and kind-hearted soul and loved by many. Jim loved him and had nothing but good to say about him except, of course, when he was joking with him! Our community has lost two great guys this past weekend. I pray for peace for you and your family.
Krystal, mere words cannot express how deeply sorry we are to hear about Billy. Our hearts are heavy with grief. You have such an amazing family that we have gotten to know over all the years attending the Good Guy Open. May they all surround you with their love and support and help get you through this devastating time. If there is anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask! That’s what friends are for. We do care! May God’s love comfort you and your children now and forever.
Our last conversation with Billy was like others we shared…he always asked about our daughter, Taylor, then shared what his kids were up to. His pride for his family always showed. He was a genuinely kind hearted man. Our love and prayers to Krystal, Noah, Hannah, Wyatt and the rest of Billy’s family.
Krystal, Our deepest sympathy in the loss of Billy. From Butte, we send our prayers and support to you and your children. God bless all of you.
I never even met Billy, but I know Krystal would have married only the most amazing man. Rest in peace, Billy. Sincere condolence, Krystal and the Lawson family.
In my mind the best word to describe “B” is “unassuming”. It didn’t matter if he was playing basketball, talking politics or current events or playing the stock market. Until you got to know him you had no idea just how good he was (it helped when he would show-up to basketball with mismatched clothes) or how well read he was or just how smart he was in general. There was only one Billy and he will be missed. May God bless his family and friends and most of all may God bless Billy
I remember the first time I met my new neighbors; they introduced themselves saying the easiest way to remember their names was introducing themselves as “Billy Krystal” – just like the actor. Billy always had a smile & wave whenever I would see him and encouraged my kids use the Sport Court whenever they wanted. Krystal, Noah, Hannah, Wyatt, & the rest of the Lawson family – our thoughts & prayers are with all of you during this very difficult time. Kellie, Allison, & Justin
Though I only know Billy because of his wife Krystal, he had to be one heck of a guy!! My deepest sympathies go out to Krystal and the entire family
My thoughts and prayers to the family of Billy and Crystal. My heart goes out to you all at this time. I will always remember your great sense of humor and vast knowledge as well. God Bless.
Billy was like a human library; he was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand to anyone, with anything from helping them figure out some software issue to helping them remove stumps with the bobcat. He never asked for anything in return. Well, actually…he did. He would enlist you in some other helpful effort for someone else. So, in a way he’d add you to his ‘library’ and make you more useful at the same time, lending you out to another needy person. And in that way, new friends were made and networks of support were built. The majority of my friends are people I met through this process. I know every single one of them will agree that he was one of the most influential persons in their lives. I hope we can all keep his network alive and growing. I love you, Billy.