Richard “Richie” T. Lawson, 60 of Viola, Illinois, passed away Thursday, July 10, 2025, at his home. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, July 16, at Dennison Funeral Home in Viola. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 17, at Dennison Funeral Home. Burial will be in Viola Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Viola Fire Department and First Responders or Viola Public Library District. Online condolences may be left at www.dennisonfuneralhome.com.
Richie was born on October 3, 1964, to Richard and Jane Bridges Lawson in Aledo, Illinois. He graduated from Winola High School in 1983. Richie was employed as a maintenance worker for the City of Aledo as well as working at Stead Farms; he also worked for the Village of Viola for many years.
Richie was heavily involved with the Viola Fire Department for almost 40 years and was proud to be a firefighter and first responder. In addition to enjoying farming and being a firefighter, he loved working with kids in baseball and softball. Richie helped umpire and coach softball for many years and was the president of the Little 6 Softball Association. He was also a member of the Viola Methodist Church and the Viola Public Library District Board. Richie never knew a stranger and would easily become friends with anyone he met.
Those left to cherish his memory include his parents, Richard and Jane; siblings, Mike (Roberta) Lawson of Leesburg, Florida, Cathi (Steve) Easley of Viola, and Debbie Willems of New Windsor, Illinois; one uncle, Ken Brown of Viola; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Richie was preceded in death by his grandparents; brother-in-law, Keith Willems; two great nephews, Evrett Sheffield and George Barrett Lawson; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.