William S. "Buck" Lawrence, Sr., 81, of Bushwood, MD 81 died November 29, 2008 at his residence. He was born September 5, 1927 in St. Mary's County, MD to the late George L. and Pauline F. Long Lawrence.

He is survived by his wife Ann Fowler Lawrence; his children Paula Lawrence Goode and her husband Artie, Martha Lawrence Casner and her husband Fred, George Lancaster Lawrence and his wife Robin, Mary "Migs" Lawrence Moreland and her husband Syd, Margaret Lawrence Putnam and her husband Larry and William Sidney Lawrence, Jr. and his wife Jackie.

He is also survived by his sister Margaret Kivlin and his grandchildren Stephanie Lawrence, Amber Lawrence, Maggie Moreland, Laura Putnam and Zack Moreland as well as many loving relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his siblings Tom Lawrence, Ann Abell and Alice Lawrence.

A life long resident of St. Mary's County, he was a farmer, a game warden and supervisor of assessments for fourteen years. He was a charter member of the 7th District Optimist Club.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD, where prayers will be said at 7:00 PM followed by Optimist prayers at 7:15 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 11:00 AM in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bushwood, MD with Fr. Francis Early officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Artie Goode, Fred Casner, Syd Moreland, Larry Putnam, Jimmy Spence and Bobby Anderson. Honorary pallbearers will be the 7th District Optimist Club.

Contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.