Lawrence Wickliffe

Ret. Battalion Chief Lawrence Armstrong Wickliffe Jr., 73, of Las Vegas, NV passed away on January 26, 2024 in Las Vegas, NV.  

Lawrence Armstrong Wickliffe Jr. was born February 1, 1950 in Ferriday, LA. He moved to Las Vegas at the age of one with his parents: Lawrence Sr. & Willia Mae Wickliffe. Lawrence graduated from Ed. W. Clark High School in 1968. He then went on to Palo Verde College in Blythe, CA and received his associate’s degree in 1972. He then went to The College of Idaho to earn his Bachelors degree in Business Administration and Management and play football in 1975. He then attended the College of Southern Nevada (formerly Community College of Southern Nevada) to earn his certification in Para-medicine studies in 1978. He attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to pursue his Masters degree in Public Administration, however stopped to focus on his family and career in 1998. He served the City of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue for 46 years! He has previously served as the local chapter of the Las Vegas chapter of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters.  He was an amazing father, friend, mentor, and chief to many. He strived to see more African-Americans enter into the fire service and exceed in Black Excellence. He was self-proclaimed “the Greatest of All Time”, and well deserving of the title. He had a deep love for traveling, motorcycles, his cat Sassie, and South Park.

He is preceded in death by his parents Lawrence Sr. and Willia Mae Wickliffe, his son James Wickliffe, and his siblings Evelyn Hall, Steve Wickliffe, Barbara Ann Wickliffe and Bonita Dixon. 

He is survived by his daughters: Monica Williams (Alvin) of Grand Prairie, TX, Kimiko Walton of Las Vegas, NV, Suddenly Crosby of Las Vegas, NV, Courtney Wickliffe of Las Vegas, NV, & Karla Brown (Kenneth) of Las Vegas NV, his brother:  Edgar Wickliffe (Veronica) of Las Vegas, NV, and his sisters:  Rose Tobierre, Zina Wickliffe, and Gloria Ellis of Las Vegas, NV. As well as his loving life partner: Nieagara Collins of North Las Vegas, NV. His granddaughters: Deztiny Coleman, Z’yona Owens, Sonya Wickliffe, Serenity Diggs, Jaraya Crosby, and Kenzi Brown. Great granddaughters: E’lainii and Amyah. And a host of family and friends.

Visitation will be Monday, February 12, 2024 from 5 PM to 7 PM at Davis Funeral Home & Memorial Park located at 6200 S. Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89119.

Funeral services will be held 10 AM Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at Central Church Located at 1001 New Beginnings Dr, Henderson NV, 89011 with Irma Brooks, The gathering to officiate. Burial will follow at Davis Funeral Homes & Memorial Park. Arrangements are by Davis Funeral Homes & Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Battalion Chief David Heckard Sr., Battalion Chief James Suarez, Ret. Captain Julian Flowers, Ret. Captain Andre Rhodes Sr., Captain Lionel Newby, and Engineer Charles Silas. 

Honorary Pallbearers Edgar Wickliffe, Alvin Williams, Kenneth Brown, Steve Wickliffe Jr., Ramone Green, Stanley Wickliffe, James Wines, & Nate Johnson.

The family of Lawrence Armstrong Wickliffe Jr. wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Mountain View Hospital, City of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, and International Association of Professional Black Firefighters.