William Lawlor

William R. Lawlor, 81, formally of the Morganville section of Marlboro Township, N.J. died Thursday April 21, 2011 in Sun City, AZ surrounded by his loving wife and family Born in Rahway, N.J. on March 22, 1930 and raised in Carteret, N.J. Bill graduated from Seton Hall University class of '52 with a BS Degree. Upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict. On May 31, 1952 he married the love of his life, Betty A. Sellick. At the end of his enlistment he and Betty moved to Colonia, N.J. where they raised their five children. They moved their family to Morganville In 1962, when he began teaching at the newly completed Matawan Regional High School in Aberdeen, N.J. Bill taught at MRHS for 30 years initially as a math teacher but eventually was encouraged to utilize his talents to develop, coordinate and administer a distributive education curriculum for the high school. For the many outstanding achievements and significant contributions and honors his students brought to MRHS he was awarded "Teacher of the Year" by the NJ Dept. of Ed. in 1978. Bill's talents extended outside of the classroom as well. In 1992 he was deeply honored by the MRHS Athletic Department for his dedication to the students and athletes by being named the "Voice of the Huskies". During his career he spent many exciting hours in the broadcasting booth at Barry Rizzo Stadium as the announcer for Husky football games as well as other competitive sporting and performance events. Bill will be remembered also for his exceptional musical talents. Bill started performing professionally as a pianist when he was 15 years old. The Bill Lawlor Duo was a familiar and popular sound around the Jersey Shore during the ‘60’s and ‘70’s most notably for those who enjoyed a “sing-a-long”. He continued this popular style in Sun City with the Women’s Guild and Catholic Daughters and the Washington Senior Center in Phoenix at the Thursday Music Hour. Upon retirement, Bill chose to devote more time to his church. His activities at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church included being a Eucharistic Minister, President of the Parish Council, the CDA, and the Knights of Columbus both in New Jersey and Arizona. Upon his death Bill was a 4th Degree knight. He was predeceased by his son Kevin Michael, his sister Marion Tally and brother Thomas Lawlor. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty, his son William (Billy) Lawlor (Linda) of Sea Girt, NJ, his daughter Mary Laudano (Steven) of Aberdeen, NJ, his daughter Jean Lawlor (Amy Burkett) of Glendale, AZ, and his son Timothy Lawlor (fiancé Laurie Miller), Beachwood, NJ; six grandsons, William (Will) Lawlor (Katie), Patrick Lawlor, Sgt. Nicholas Lawlor, USMC ( Talia), Timothy Lawlor, Peter Lawlor and Ian Laudano; five great grandchildren, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, devoted family and friends. A wake service will be held at Menke Funeral & Cremation Center Chapel, 12420 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City, AZ. Tuesday April 26, 2011 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with rosary at 6 p.m.. The funeral service will be Wednesday April 27, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Clement of Rome Catholic Church, 15800 N. Del Webb Blvd. Sun City, AZ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul, Valley View Food Bank, Youngstown, AZ. or Hospice of the Valley 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014-5656.