William Lawless

William J. (Bill) Lawless, 84, of Crystal Springs, passed away July 1, 2024, at St. Dominic’s Hospital in Jackson. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m., Monday, July 8, at Stringer Family Funeral Home in Crystal Springs. Funeral will be at 2 p.m., Monday, at Stringer Family Chapel, with burial at Old Crystal Springs Cemetery.

Mr. Lawless was born Nov. 4, 1939, on the family farm to William and Lucy Lawless. He grew up hunting and searching for arrowheads on the farm. He graduated from Crystal Springs High School and Hinds Community College, where he met his wife in 1961. He and his wife, Betty Kinard Lawless, were married in 1962 soon after he joined the U.S. Navy and was sent to basic training at Great Lakes Training Academy in Illinois. While in the Navy, he served in Japan and the Philippines, where he enjoyed filming his time there with his 8mm camera. In 1964, he joined the Jackson Police Department and served there until his retirement in 1988. He was a student of American history, especially WWII history because of his connection to it through his brothers who preceded him in death, James Lawless and Gerald Lawless. He enjoyed photography, military air shows, fishing, cooking out, and visiting Rocky Springs Campground with his family. He was very proud of his grandson and his chosen profession in physical therapy. Mr. Lawless was a member of First Baptist Church, Crystal Springs.

Survivors include his son, Tim Lawless, and wife Wendy Lawless; grandson, Wesley Lawless, and wife Erika Clark Lawless, of Bowling Green, Ky.; favorite sister-in-law, Rosie Kinard; niece, Judy Kinard; special family members, Lewis and Jerry Horton; and cousin, Don Taylor, of Crystal Springs.