By Terrance Harris
Houston is mourning the loss of Reverend William “Bill” Alexander Lawson, a towering figure in the civil rights movement and longtime pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Lawson passed away at the age of 95, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of leadership, activism, and service to the community.
Affectionately known as “Houston’s Pastor,” Lawson arrived in the city in the mid-1950s as a 27-year-old to serve as the director of the Baptist Student Union at Texas Southern University. It was there that his journey as a civil rights leader and community pillar began to take shape.
In 1962, Lawson founded Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston’s Third Ward, starting with just 12 members in a small white church. However, his impact soon extended far beyond the church’s walls as the civil rights movement gained momentum across the nation.
Lawson quickly became a central figure in Houston’s fight for desegregation and racial equality. He raised funds to bail out students unjustly arrested for participating in lunch counter sit-ins protesting segregation. His leadership and activism also brought him into close collaboration with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whom he hosted in Houston.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Lawson remained at the forefront of the city’s civil rights struggles, organizing efforts to integrate Houston and later campaigning against an initiative aimed at ending affirmative action.
Beyond his work in the civil rights arena, Lawson was a beloved spiritual leader and a calming voice during turbulent times. He often provided guidance, inspiration, and prayer during moments of distress, including the racial reckoning that followed the death of George Floyd in 2020.
Lawson’s impact on Houston and its residents cannot be overstated. For almost 62 years, he was married to his late wife, Audrey, and together they touched countless lives through their unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and community service.
As Houston mourns the passing of this civil rights icon, Reverend William Lawson’s legacy as a trailblazer, leader, and beloved pastor will forever be etched in the city’s history and the hearts of its residents.