Laurence Lee “Lank” Lancaster Jr. died Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008, at River Region Medical Center. He was 83.

Mr. Lancaster was born in Dallas, Texas, and had lived in Vicksburg for the past 20 years. He was a highly decorated soldier, serving in the 101st airborne and 82nd divisions. He was part of the Normandy Invasion, the Battle of the Bulge and the Market Garden in Belgium.

He retired with honors from the U.S. Army, receiving the World War II Victory Medal. He was a member of the Porters Chapel United Methodist Church.

He was retired from the Military and from Orkin Pest Control.

Survivors include his wife, Faye R. Lancaster of Vicksburg; one daughter, Linda Gipson and husband Bobby of Tallulah; two stepdaughters, Debbie R. Way and husband Wren and Amy R. Elliott, all of Vicksburg; three grandchildren, Heather Dolan, Allison Smith and Emma Smith; two stepgrandchildren, Kaitlin Sullivan and Courtney Pickering; and two stepgreat-grandchildren, Carley Beth Pickering and Hayden Pickering.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Glenwood Funeral Home with the Rev. Dural Ragsdale officiating. Burial will follow at Green Acres Memorial Park. Visitation will be from noon Saturday until the hour of the service.

Pallbearers will be Don Rowland, Russell Rowland, Bob Anderton, Gary Anderton, Larry Anderton, Shawn Rowland, Don Rowland Jr., Taylor Rowland and Rick Lott.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Men’s Club and Domino Club at Porters Chapel United Methodist Church, Clyde Roberson, Phil Smith and Dr. Daniel Edney.

Memorials may be made to Porters Chapel United Methodist Church, 200 Porters Chapel Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180 or to the Mississippi Alzheimer’s Association.