William R. Lawther, 77, of Wexford died Thursday at St. John Specialty Care Center after a battle with cancer.

Bill was born in Bakerstown to the late George R. and Jesse (Dobson) Lawther.

He was the husband of the late Barbara Ann (Haefner) Lawther; beloved father of Raymond (Beth) of Ellwood City, Robert of Wexford, Gregory of London, Ky., and Jeffrey (Laurie) of Mars; grandfather of Hunter, Ashley and Justin; brother of George, Rodney (Harold), Gerald, Robert, Dan and Edward Lawther and Evelyn Cotto, Beatrice Rodiquez, Harriet Vasquez, Alice Howrlya and Cherly Zabish. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was a retired steel worker at J&L Steel in Aliquippa and was an Army veteran. He volunteered for the Lighthouse food bank.

<B>Lawther</B> — Friends of William R. Lawther, who died Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the <B>George A. Thoma Funeral Home Inc.</B>, 10418 Perry Highway, Wexford. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Alphonsus Church, Wexford.