Bill Lawson, 64

Bill Lawson (64) former St. Maries, Idaho, resident and current resident of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, passed away at the Schneidmiller Hospice House on Dec. 23, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was born to Herb and Charlotte Lawson on Feb. 23, 1958, in Newton, N.J. Bill grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School with the class of 1976.

Following high school, Bill attended William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He graduated with a BA in Education in 1980. Bill then moved to Superior, Ariz., for a teaching job. He furthered his education by attending Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff where he earned his master's in education. During this time, he would work the school year in Arizona and return home to Iowa for the summers. It was then he met the love of his life, Neisha Gay. The couple married Dec. 23, 1982, in Oskaloosa, building a beautiful life and marriage that lasted 40 years. Bill and Neisha made their home in Superior, Ariz., where their son Jeremiah was born, and Bill served as Athletic Director and a teacher for 12 years.

Bill’s secretary at the Superior school happened to know Jerry and Glenda Bailey from St. Maries, Idaho, since they, too, started their careers in Superior, Ariz. Because of this connection, Jerry Bailey contacted Bill to offer him a job replacing upcoming retiree Terry Doupe, the woodshop and carpentry teacher for the St. Maries School District. In 1996, the Lawson family moved to St. Maries, where Bill taught woodshop and carpentry for both the middle school and high school. A talented athlete himself, Bill also coached golf, wrestling and football, serving as a referee for wrestling as well. In 2014, Bill was offered a position at Post Falls High School, so he commuted for one year before he and Neisha made Coeur d’Alene their permanent home. He also taught carpentry and coached golf for the Post Falls School District. Bill retired in June 2022, after providing 42 years of education to a few generations of kids.

Bill enjoyed the outdoors, snowmobiling, hunting, building, woodworking and spending time with his family. He also loved golf, often taking first place in local tournaments. Bill impacted the lives of so many children and people on his adventure through life and he will never be forgotten.

Bill is survived by his wife, Neisha, at their home in Coeur d’Alene; son and daughter-in-law Jeremiah and Bri Lawson and their children, Camber and Lyla, of St. Maries; mother Charlotte Lawson of Newton, N.J.; siblings Joni (Frank) Drake of Tucson, Ariz., Gene (Chris) Lawson of Solon, Iowa, Pam (Randy) Erteld of Blue Springs, Mo.; father in-law Junior Gay of Oskaloosa, Iowa; sister in-law Debbie Shannon of Eldridge, Iowa; brother in-law Edwin (Cindy) Gay of Marshal Town, Iowa; numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Herb Lawson and brothers Steven Lawson and Aric Lawson.

Services for Bill will be scheduled later this spring. Please visit his online tribute and leave condolences for his family at hodgefuneralhome.com.