William Mathers Lawson, 51 of Ocean Springs, passed away Sunday at Ocean Springs Hospital. "Mat", as he was known by most, was born October 15, 1968 in Gulfport, the oldest of four children to Gery M. and Helen Louise (Higgins) Lawson. He grew up in South-central Florida for the most part, enjoying skateboarding and music. Mat also liked to go exploring along the creek and woods by his house with his sisters. After graduating high school, Mat went on to earn his bachelors in Theater from the University of Montevallo. While in school, he also did an internship at Palm Canyon Theater in Palm Springs, CA. He did spend some time in California while his mother did travel nursing there, participating in several plays and productions. Mat returned to South MS in 2009 and went to work in the casinos, spending time at the Isle of Capri and later the Hard Rock. In his spare time, he enjoyed writing stories and had been working on a play of his own for a while. He is remembered as an outgoing, never-met-a-stranger type of person. Helpful and kind-hearted, Mat was generous to a fault and would help anyone. A jovial guy that loved his family, he will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded by his father, Gerry Lawson. Left to cherish his memories are: his loving mother, Louise Lawson of Ocean Springs; sisters Hester (Robert) Manning, also of Ocean Springs, and Mary Lou (Joey) Burgett of Moss Point, and his brother Justin (Rachel) Lawson of Boulder, CO. Having never married himself, Mat loved his nieces and nephews: Paige and Emily Fayard, Jason Fayard, III. Molly (Drew) Lee, Abbey and Emma Manning, Sasha Galeos, Samson and Lolah Lawson and Jamie Geiger, along with numerous friends, neighbors and co-workers through the years. Mat's final wishes were to be cremated, which his family is honoring. A memorial service may be held at a later date. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Lawson family in their time of need, asking everyone to keep them in your thoughts and prayers over the coming days.