Howard Joseph "Joe" Lawler III was 80 years old when he departed this life peacefully at his home in Fort Worth, Texas. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Joe was raised in California, where he graduated in Walnut Creek's Los Lomas High School class of 1962. He had a decorated and honorable career in the Army as a member of the 173rd Airborne from 1965-1969. His service included two tours in Viet Nam, for which he was awarded a Purple Heart, among other medals.

Graveside Service: 11:15 am, Monday, December 16, 2024, at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Visitation: 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Sunday, December 15, 2024, at Biggers Funeral Home.

He, his wife Judi and their young family moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 1975, where they have remained for the last 50 years. Joe started his own company, AWI Construction, in 1996 and remained at its helm until his retirement in 2016.

Joe was a long-time member of Eagle Mountain International Church in Fort Worth, TX.  He was active in the local Republican Party and loved to play golf and travel.

He is survived by Judith Eckhardt Lawler, his wife of 55 years; three children, Jay Lawler, Kristen Walsh, and Tom Lawler; four grandchildren, Jake and Lucas Walsh, Cece and Amelia Lawler; his niece and nephew, Leslie and Matt Norman, and great-niece, Angelica Norman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard J. Lawler Il and Leslie Smith Lawler, and sister, Mary Jean Norman.