Richard Leonard Lawrence, 74, Fairbury died at 6:15 am Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at his residence in Fairbury.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Friday, December 3, 2010 at the First Baptist Church, Fairbury with Pastor Steven Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Forrest Twp. Cemetery, Forrest with full military rites accorded by the Fairbury VFW and American Legion posts. Visitation will be 4:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday, December 2, 2010 and 10:00 to 10:45 am Friday at the First Baptist Church, Fairbury. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be given in the First Baptist Church, Fairbury or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Mr. Lawrence was born June 29, 1936 in Forrest, IL the son of Harry and Grace Norris Lawrence. He married Betty J. Danforth on October 19, 1957 in Sanatobia, Mississippi. She survives in Fairbury.

Also surviving are two daughters, Debbie (Steve) Salvator, Pontiac, IL, Pam (Denny) Zimmerman, Forrest, IL, one son, Mark (Leann) Lawrence, Fairbury, IL, his mother, Grace Lawrence, Fairbury, IL, twelve grandchildren, Dustin (Tess) Popejoy, Beau (Jodi) Popejoy, Jacob (Bethany) Zimmerman, Alex (Elia) Zimmerman, Hannah, Lydia, Grace, Leah and Naomi Zimmerman, Adam (Megan) Lawrence, Andy (Jill Kitchell) Lawrence, and Maggie Lawrence, two great grandchildren, Charlee and Asher Popejoy, one brother, Jack (Betty) Lawrence, Fairbury, IL, two sisters, Jean (Lee) Evans, Pontiac, IL and Vicki Lawrence, Fairbury, IL.

He is preceded in death by his father and one sister, Della Kinkade.

Dick was a 1954 graduate of Fairbury Twp. High School. He served in the US Army (1954-1955) and was a retired union carpenter with local # 63, Bloomington. He later owned and operated Lawrence Classic Car Restorations, Fairbury (1987 – present). He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Fairbury and the American Legion John Joda post #54.