William Appleton Lawrence (May 21, 1889 - December 21, 1968[1]) was the third bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts (1937–57).

[2][3] His father, William Lawrence, was the seventh Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts (1893–1927).

He also studied at Lawrence College in Appleton, Wisconsin from where he graduated with a Doctor of Divinity in 1929.

On October 21, 1936, Lawrence was elected as the third bishop to the Diocese of Western Massachusetts.

In 1938, Lawrence created the first diocesan council and recommended that lay employees be included under social security.