William V. Lawson died at home on October 20th at the age of 52 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Bill was born in Portsmouth England. He lived in Andover for several years and graduated from Andover Junior High & Andover High School. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in PA , where he was a member of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. He obtained his post graduate degree from the University of South Florida. He taught math at Hillsborough County Florida Public Schools for a year while going to school and then spent 2 years in Ghana with the Peace Corps as a math teacher. He lived in Reading for 5 years and for the past 22 years in Melrose. Bill worked as a computer software engineer for several start up companies in the greater Boston area. He worked for 9 years at Applicon Inc. as a computer analyst developing graphic tools for computer aided design and for 10 years as a computer analyst for SmartTime Software Inc.. He also spent 6 years developing his own company specializing in custom home design. Bill was an outdoors-man and enjoyed exploring the White Mountains while telemark skiing, hiking, and camping. He was a longtime member of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Bill was an avid runner and completed 2 marathons while undergoing cancer treatment, including the 100th running of the Boston Marathon. Bill enjoyed the water from swimming to kayaking. He frequently swam at the Melrose YMCA and kayaked and camped with his wife and children in the Bay of Fundy. Bill devoted a significant amount of time in the 1990's working to help get the Stone Zoo back on its feet. Bill was the husband of Barbara (Van Kooy) Lawson. Father of Jacoba Lawson & Christopher Lawson both of Melrose. Son of Amelia (McCabe) Lawson of Melrose & Basil Lawson of CA. Brother of Susan Cann of Melrose, Pamela Abela of OR, Christine Anderson of CA and John Andrew Lawson of Gloucester. Uncle of Jen, Sam, Sally, James, Zach & Amy. Visiting hours will be held at Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St. Melrose on Wed. from 4-8PM. A memorial service will be held at Hope Alliance Church 84 Green St. Melrose on Thursday Oct. 24th at 7PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hope Alliance Church 84 Green St. Melrose MA 02176.