Burton W. Lawrence, 87, passed away October 8, 2017 after a brief illness. He was born on November 20, 1929 in Nyack, NY to Edward and Ruth Lawrence. After college he enlisted in the Marine Corps where he served as a 2nd lieutenant. He worked for many years as a salesman at Xerox, then was a self-employed businessman. He finished his career at the Evening Telegram as coordinator for Newspapers in Education. Burt's great passion was singing, and he was involved with multiple choirs over the years, most recently the Community Choir and the First Baptist Church of Ilion choir. Burt was very involved in the church, holding many leadership positions. Burt was married for 33 years to his beloved wife, Marion B. Lawrence. Burt and Marion met in the Adirondacks and he loved spending family time at Piseco Lake. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Ed, and his grandson Alex Lawrence. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his 3 children: Robin Cunningham and her husband Wells, Scott Lawrence and his wife Debbie, Bruce Lawrence and his wife Chantal, 4 stepchildren: Jane Gochenour and her husband Gerald, Jim Irving, David Irving and his wife Sandy, Cindy Reed, 9 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Calling hours will be Friday, October 13, 2017 at Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, 100 Otsego St, Ilion, NY from 5-7 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at the First Baptist Church of Ilion, 8 Second St, Ilion, NY at 11 am with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Burt's memory to: First Baptist Church of Ilion Memorial Fund, 8 Second St, Ilion, NY, 13357 or Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, New York, 10018. Online condolences may be left by visiting www.whiter-hendrix.com.