Ed Lawless
August 10, 1939 ~ January 19, 2022
Services for William Edmond "Ed" Lawless, 82, of Linden will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at New Colony Baptist Church with Rev. J. D. Terry officiating. Burial will follow at New Colony Cemetery under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Linden. There will be a time of visitation from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
On Wednesday, January 19, 2022 William Edmond “Ed” Lawless went to join his wife, Mary Lou in their mansion on the hilltop.
Ed was born August 20, 1939 in Olney, Illinois, the son of Virgil and Martha (Wilson) Lawless.
At a young age, he began to work with his dad and granddad in their family businesses, including Lawless Grocer/Gas Station and Lawless Radio/Telephone Repair. It was there that he learned the value of hard work and the benefits of earning his own way. He passed these same values down to his own children. Ed was the Lawless family’s third generation business owner/operator.
He married Mary Lou (Huchell) April 27, 1963. He graduated from the Reisch American school of Auctioneering in 1965. He began traveling to the East Coast the buy and sell antiques, pianos, etc… Thereafter, he and Mary Lou started their business in Olney, Ill, which included antique auctions, antique/reproduction furniture store, China cabinet and lamp production business, rental properties, Etc. In 1979, they moved to Linden, Texas and opened Ed’s Auction House/Wholesale Trade Center and Ed’s Auto Sales. Together, they owned and operated several businesses for over 40 years. In 2004, he became a certified minister and he and Mary Lou began holding monthly church services.
A self made business man, no matter where he was, he was thinking and working on the “next deal.” He was unconventional, a very creative thinker and never settled for being “typical of commonplace” in his business ventures. He strived to go beyond normal limits. Although he focused most of his time on businesses, he did make a little time over the years for things he enjoyed. He always had time to tell a story and he has many of them! In the early 1970’s Ed acquired a stock car and began racing at White Squirrel Speedway every weekend for the next six years. He also enjoyed going to and participating in car shows, the “trill of the deal” bidding on and buying classic cars, uniques and antiques. Being a businessman, he found a way to include the thing he enjoyed, such as collector cars, antiques, vintage toys, etc…, by making them part of his inventory. He also enjoyed time he and Mary Lou shared reading and studying Bible scripture together.
He is survived by his son, Jeff (Colette) Lawless; three daughters, Brenda (James) Washington, Renee (Deriek) Eaves, and Diana Lawless; 15 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren.
Ed was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mary Lou; parents, Virgil and Martha Lawless; brother, Dave Lawless; one son, Bret Lawless; grandson, Chad Littlejohn; great-granddaughter, Kaley Wilkerson; great-grandson, Braylon Williams; one nephew, Dane Lawless; and special family member, Clay Samanie.
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so sorry for your loss FLY HIGH YOUNG MAN You will be missed prayers for the family may GOD Bless and keep you
May Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, bless each of you with His Perfect Peace in the days ahead. Remember the very best of times are your precious memories.
Prayers of peace and comfort for your family. May you all feel the arms of God wrapped tightly around you.
May our gracious Lord bless and keep in perfect peace the Lawless family as we keep them all in our loving prayers.
Sorry for your great loss. Rest In Peace.
Sorry for your great loss. Rest In Peace.
I worked for Ed in the 70's at Ed's Lamp Production and his dad, Virgil, was my boss and Virgil and Martha was my best friends and helped me get a great start in life. Loved their stories and advice. It has been a few years since I talked to Ed and Mary Lou when they were in Olney, but we had a fun chat. Please know you are in my prayers as I am so sorry for your loss.
Ed will be deeply missed.
My Prayers are with your families
Prayers for family. i will miss Ed
One of the smartest person I ever met…I enjoyed ever conversation and learned more and more how to be a humble man . God bless you Ed, you were an asset to us, and will be missed.