Deaths Deaths (September 01, 2004)

Bill Lawder

Bill Lawder, 74, a longtime resident of Palo Alto, died Aug. 18.

His great love of aviation inspired him in many ways throughout his life. At 16, he scrubbed airplanes at the San Francisco airport to fund flying lessons. After graduating from Burlingame High School in 1947, his academic pursuits included the study of aeronautical engineering.

He earned a degree from Stanford University in 1957 and a law degree from Denver University in 1963. In service to his country, he flew P5Ms in Naval Air Squadron VP42 from 1953-57. He worked in various capacities for United Airlines from 1957 until his retirement as vice president of Facilities and Properties in 1981.

He served Hertz as director of Properties and Concessions-Western Region until his retirement in 1996. In recent years, he enjoyed supporting the athletic endeavors of Stanford teams, at home and on the road.

His travels by air and sea were extensive and his frequent editorial contributions to the Palo Alto Times attest to his interest in the well-being of his community and country.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Shirley Stevenot Lawder of Palo Alto; daughter, Kathryn Lawder of Jacksonville, Ore.; daughter, Kim Triller of Gig Harbor, Wash.; daughter, Deborah Sullivan of Burlingame; son, Bill Lawder of Brunswick, Ga.; and 11 grandchildren.

Please send donations to Crisis Pregnancy Centers of Pierce County, 1209 6th Ave., Tacoma, WA 98405; or the charity of your choice.

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