George Wilbert Laws

George Wilbert Laws, born July 28, 1929 in Washington, passed away peacefully at the VITAS Hospice House on October 21, 2023 at the age of 94. For 70 years, George was married to his wife, Ruth Burrell Laws, who preceded him in death on his birthday, July 28, 2021. He spent these past 2 years near family at the Chateau Madeleine Senior Community in Melbourne Florida. As childhood sweethearts, George and Ruth met attending the same Sunday School Class at The Salvation Army, Washington, PA, where Ruth’s parents, Hedley and Linnie Burrell, were Salvation Army Officers. They were married by Ruth’s father in 1950. In 1947, George graduated from Washington High School. As a US Navy veteran, George served aboard the carrier USS Midway. Before and after his military service, he worked his entire professional career in the grocery business, from a young meat cutter to owning his own store and district management until he retired in 1994. At the time of his passing, he was the oldest living Past Master of the Washington Masonic Lodge #164. George’s greatest joys in life were providing for and loving his growing family, serving his church and others, and playing golf with his uncles. As committed Christians and active members of their churches, George and Ruth lived out their faith in Jesus for all their children and grandchildren at: The Salvation Army, Church of the Covenant, Parkway Christian Church, Fort Lauderdale First Baptist Church, and Plantation Community Church. After retirement, George and Ruth enjoyed life together in the Covenant Living retirement community in Plantation with their many loving friends. Since 2021, George enjoyed many new friends and activities at his new Chateau Madeleine community. George and Ruth Laws were proud parents of four adult children (and their spouses): Judy Natwick (Gary) of Satellite Beach, FL; Janie Aquilino (Tony, deceased) of Atlanta, GA; George Laws (deceased); and Tom Laws (Cathy) of Austin, Tx. Blessed over the years, they shared the lives and activities of 11 wonderful, grown grandchildren: Brian, Erik, Jason, Richard (deceased), Ryan, Ashley-Jane, Chip, Kara, Melissa, Brad, and Lisa, who are the parents to their 20 beautiful, fun, and accomplished great-grandchildren. George is predeceased by his wife Ruth; parents, George Isaac Laws and Dorothy Miles Shirk; and sister, Janie Laws Jones (Richard). He is also survived by two of Ruth’s siblings: Myrtle Brownson and Marion Fritz, and many nieces and nephews. Special thanks to all the wonderful family of staff, caregivers and friends George has made at the Chateau Madeleine Senior Community these past 2 years. A family celebration will be held later. Burial will be in Washington Cemetery, on November 2, 2023 Local arrangements have been entrusted to William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, PA 15301.