James W. “Bill” Rawson, 82, a former resident of Mobile and a resident of Orange Beach, died Saturday, July 31, 2010.
He was born in Laurel, Miss., to Charlie and Gladys Rawson. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He graduated in 1976 with a degree in public administration from the University of Upper Iowa in Fayette, Iowa.
He worked 30 years with the U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, 10 years as chief of the Natural Disaster Branch of Emergency Management Division, Mobile, with extensive experience with the hurricane preparedness and recovery. He was very instrumental in the aftermath of Hurricanes Camille, Frederick and Hugo before retiring in 1985.
He served as the town clerk in Orange Beach from 1985-1987 and served as a member of the Orange Beach City Council from 1992-1996. He was a member of the Orange Beach Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Gladys Rawson of Laurel, Miss.; and a brother, Lindell Rawson of Pascagoula, Miss.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Martha Pruitt Rawson of Orange Beach; daughter, Sherry Rawson (John) Carney; three granddaughters, Tracy Sweatt (Billy) Givens, Rachel Carney (Willis) Willcox and Tara Carney; two great-grandchildren, Cullen Wilson and Walker Willcox; sister, Juanita Parker of Laurel, Miss.; three brothers, Ronnie (Judy) Rawson of Long Beach, Miss., David Rawson of Gretna, La., and Eudell Rawson of Pineville, La.; many caring and devoted friends and extended family.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5 at Orange Beach Presbyterian Church, 26640 Canal Road. Visitation will follow in the church fellowship hall.
The family requests memorial donations be made to Orange Beach Presbyterian Church.
Arrangements are by Mack Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., Robertsdale.
