William Lawhorne, whose childhood was spent roaming the streets of Del Ray, died Aug. 28 surrounded by his family after battling an aggressive form of leukemia. He was 73.

Born Nov. 6, 1952, William Edward “Bill” Lawhorne was the second oldest of five siblings, including younger brother Dana Lawhorne, who would later become Alexandria’s sheriff.

“We grew up in a modest home on West Luray Ave. in Del Ray,” Dana Lawhorne recalled. “We always had a roof over our heads and not much else. Our childhood brought its share of challenges, particularly as our parents struggled with money and addiction. But through it all we learned to rely on one another forming a close bond. Bill in particular was laid back, comfortable in his own skin and never seemed to worry too much about what other people thought. He simply went through life in his own way with a good heart and a great sense of humor.”

 “Bill went through life in his own way, with a good heart and a great sense of humor.”

— Dana Lawhorne on his brother Bill

Bill Lawhorne met his future wife Annie while they were seniors at George Washington High School, as part of the school’s last graduating class in 1971. They married in 1974 and welcomed their children soon after. The family moved to Woodbridge and later settled in Montclair.

A hard-working man, Lawhorne spent 32 years at Giant Food. He loved fishing and could always be counted on to tell a good story about his pursuits. He especially enjoyed his annual fishing trips to Smith Mountain Lake with lifelong friends and, often, his son. He was also a devoted Washington Redskins fan, holding season tickets for much of his adult life. One of his favorite memories was attending Super Bowl XVII to cheer on his team, along with Annie, to a 27–17 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

“Those were happy, simple times,” said Dana Lawhorne. “That was one of Bill's gifts — he knew how to enjoy life's simple moments. Bill loved Christmas and was known as Clark Griswold. He filled his home with decorations and poured love into his Christmas village. On Christmas Day he would play his ukulele and sing carols. Whether he was decorating for Christmas, spending an afternoon at the lake or gathering family around him he was happiest with the people he loved.”

Lawhorne and his wife retired to Myrtle Beach in 2013, where they spent more than a decade building a close-knit circle of friends in their neighborhood. After Lawhorne’s leukemia diagnosis in 2025, they moved back to Virginia to be closer to family.

“In February of 2025 Bill was admitted to the hospital in Charleston, S.C.,” Dana Lawhorne said. “After bone marrow biopsy the doctor told us that Bill had AML, an aggressive form of leukemia. It was a punch in the gut. Treatment needed to begin right away starting with chemotherapy and possibly leading to a bone marrow transplant. We did not know what the months ahead would bring but we knew this — Bill would not face it alone. His family, friends and neighbors would make sure of that.”

Lawhorne is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 52 years, Ann Lawhorne (née Chandler); his son, Billy (Mary); his daughter, Jennifer; three granddaughters; one grandson; brothers Ronald and Dana; sisters Dawna Kasper and Karen Allen; and three nieces and three nephews.

A celebration of Lawhorne’s life was held Sept. 9 at the First Baptist Church of Alexandria.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Hackerman-Patz Patient and Family Pavilion at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

To Make a Gift by Check, please make it payable to Johns Hopkins Medicine, (Memo Line: Hackerman Patz Pavilion). Mail to: Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, Development Office, 750 E. Pratt Street, Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD 21202

To Make an Online Gift, visit ONCO-Kimmel | Johns Hopkins Secure eCommerce, Under the Select Your Gift Designation tab, select “Other” and enter Hackerman-Patz Pavilion.

Said Dana Lawhorne, “When I think about Bill I realize that he understood something that is easy for the rest of us to forget — a good life isn't measured by how much you have or by how many years of life you're given. It's measured by the people you love, the lives you touch and whether you can look back with gratitude for the journey you've taken. Bill could do that.”