Oldest son of James Lawrence and Cynthia Franks Lawrence.

Served in the Civil War as a 4th Sergeant, Company F, Freeman's Regiment, 1st Missouri Cavalry, Partisan Rangers, Confederate States of America.

Married first to Elizabeth Ann King in Sage Arkansas on 5/21/1846.
Married second to Elizabeth Alzina Clark who he married in Izard County, Arkansas in 1863.
Married third to America Nancy Bryan(t) McGavock Evans who he married in Izard County, Arkansas.

Children with first wife Elizabeth King:
James Daniel Lawrence (1847 - 1902)
George Washington Lawrence (1849 - 1926)
John Martin Lawrence (1851 - 1927)
William "Will" Thomas Lawrence (1854 - 1930)
Joseph Edward Lawrence 1857 - 1940)
Issac Newton Lawrence (1859 - 1918)

Children with second wife Elizabeth Alzina Clark:
Henry Melvean (Melvin?) Lawrence (1864 - 1933)
Cynthia Ann Lawrence (1866 - 1915)
Mary Frances "Fannie" Lawrence (1868 - 1930)
Rebecca Jane Lawrence Roy (1871 - 1948)
Ambrose Owen Lawrence (1874 - 1875)
Walter Lee Lawrence (1877 - 1902)

He had no children with America Nancy Bryan(t)McGavock Evans.

Bill Lawrence was away with his Regiment somewhere in Northern Arkansas or Southern Missouri when the Civil War ended. His commander, Colonel Thomas R. Freeman, was one of the last Confederate commanders to surrender, doing so on June 6, 1865. Bill had become ill from exposure to the elements and was too weak to ride home, possibly suffering from pneumonia. Word reached the family of his weakness and his oldest son James Daniel Lawrence went to where his father was reportedly encamped. The location he had been given as to where he could find his father was sound and he found him somewhat emaciated from his illness and probably malnutrition as well. Family lore is that James lashed his father to his horse and brought him home where he regained his strength and recuperated thanks to the care given to him by his second wife, Elizabeth Clark Lawrence. It should be noted that Elizabeth Clark was at first brought into the home of William to help care for his ailing first wife and assist in raising the children. When Elizabeth King Lawrence passed away, Elizabeth Clark remained in the family home.

Goodspeed's History of Arkansas shows the following regarding Bill lawrence as well as his father James.
"William Lawrence, farmer, Melbourne, Ark. In the early settlement of Izard County, Ark., Mr. Lawrence bore a prominent part in developing and opening the way for civilization and is one of the representative men of the county. He was born in Alabama, in 1823, and is the son of James and Cynthia (Franks) Lawrence, natives of Tennessee. James Lawrence moved to Alabama, in 1822, settling in Marion County, and after remaining there a short time removed to Fayette County, where he remained until 1839. From there he journeyed to Louisiana, entered land and followed farming for about two years, when he moved to Izard County, Ark., and settled in Sylamore, now in Stone County. After a residence there of two years, he moved to the western part of the county, where he improved some government land. Two years later he moved to the eastern part of the county and remained there until a short time previous to his death, when he went to live with his son, William Lawrence, and died there in 1859, at the age of sixty five or seventy years. He had held the office of justice of the peace in the county for four years, and was an excellent citizen. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss (Sally?) Tucker, who bore him five children, two sons and three daughters, all living at last accounts. They are named as follows: Martin, Edward, Sarah, Catherine and Mary. His second marriage was to Miss Cynthia Franks, and to them were born nine children, two now living, William and James, who reside in this county. Mrs. Lawrence died in 1865. Both were members of the Baptist Church, and in politics he was a Democrat. William Lawrence was married in his twenty-third year, and commenced work for himself by farming on his own land, which he had purchased in the central portion of the county. He sold this farm in 1850 and entered his present property, which he has improved and which consists of 200 acres. He now has about seventy or seventy-five acres of cleared land, all the result of his own efforts, unassisted by any of his family. In 1862 he joined the Confederate army and served under Gen. (Meriweather) Thompson (in Col Thomas Freeman's 1st Missouri Cavalry) and Capt. C.C. Cook until the close of hostilities, when he returned to his farm. He has been three times married, his first wife being Elizabeth King, whom he led to the altar in 1846, and the fruits of this union were six children, all living: James, G. W., John, Isaac, Thomas and Edward. Mrs. Lawrence died in 1859, a worthy member of the Baptist Church. His second marriage took place in 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Clark, who bore him five children, all living: Henry, Cynthia A., wife of J. W. Freeman; Mary F., at home; Rebecca J., at home, and Walter, also at home. The mother of these children was a member of the Baptist Church, and died in 1879. Mr. Lawrence's third marriage was to Mrs. A. N. Ivins (Bryant), a member of the Christian Church. He is a member of the Baptist Church, belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and in his political views is a stanch Democrat."

The earliest verifiable record we have of Bill Lawrence is the 1850 US Census. He is found to be living at Union, Izard County, Arkansas next door to the Daniel and Mary Jeffery family. He is recorded as being a farmer and that he was born in Alabama and his wife Elizabeth in Tennessee. The following family is recorded as living in the home:
William Lawrence M 27
Elizabeth Lawrence F 27
James Lawrence M 3
George W. Lawrence M 1

The 1880 US Census shows William and his family as living at Mill Creek, Izard County, Arkansas. His second wife, Elizabeth Alzina Clark, is now deceased. The following family members are recorded as living in the home:
William Lawrence M 57
Isaac N. Lawrence M 20
Henry Lawrence M 15
Robert L. Lawrence M 3
Cintha A. Lawrence F 13
Mary F. Lawrence F 11
Rebecca J. Lawrence F 7

Bill had a connection to Frank James, the older brother of the notorious outlaw Jesse James, who he rode with robbing banks, trains etc for many years. Bill Lawrence's cavalry unit in the Civil War were "Partisan Rangers" and Frank James was friends with the Regimental Commander, Thomas Freeman. Frank rode with Capt William Quantrill and during times they were not in the field, Frank would ride with Col Freeman's regiment. During his time with Freeman's men, he met Bill Lawrence and they became fast friends. After the war, gatherings of Confederate veterans from northern Arkansas would gather - like today's veteran reunions - every so often to tell stories about the war and each other, race horses and such while the womenfolk cooked and the kids played or sat near by and listened to the tales. Bill always attended and Frank James sometimes would show up (it is believed that Frank taught school at Calico Rock which is basically across the White River from Mt. Olive, Arkansas) where Bill lived. After Bill died in 1896, Frank learned of Bill's death and rode back to Melbourne to visit Bill's grave at the Lawrence Family Cemetery and offer condolences to the family. This is believed to have occurred the year of Bill's death, possibly the next. Malcolm Lawrence, early historian of the Lawrence clan, believed Frank James never returned to the Melbourne/Mt Olive area again after that.