William V. Lawson of Melrose, a computer software engineer, died Sunday at home after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 52.

Born in Portsmouth, England, Mr. Lawson was raised in Andover. He graduated from Andover High School and from Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity. He obtained his post-graduate degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla.

He taught math in Hillsborough County, Fla., public schools for a year while going to graduate school and then spent two years in Ghana with the Peace Corps as a math teacher. He worked as a computer software engineer for several start-up companies in the greater Boston area.

Mr. Lawson worked for nine years at Applicon, Inc., as a computer analyst developing graphic tools for computer-aided design and for 10 years as a computer analyst for SmartTime Software Inc. He also spent six years developing his own company specializing in custom home design.

Mr. Lawson was an outdoorsman and enjoyed exploring the White Mountains while telemark skiing, hiking and camping. He was a longtime member of the Appalachian Mountain Club. He was also an avid runner, completing two marathons while undergoing cancer treatment, including the 100th running of the Boston Marathon. He also enjoyed swimming and kayaking. He frequently swam at the Melrose YMCA and kayaked and camped with his wife and children in the Bay of Fundy in northern Maine.

Mr. Lawson devoted a significant amount of time in the 1990s assisting the Stone Zoo.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara (Van Kooy); a daughter, Jacoba of Melrose; a son, Christopher of Melrose; three sisters, Susan Cann of Melrose, Pamela Abela of Oregon, and Christine Anderson of California; a brother, John Andrew of Gloucester; and six nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. today at Hope Alliance Church, Melrose.

David Dearborn wrote about his dear friend: Bill was smart, funny and low-key. He always had something pertinent to add to the conversation. Bill's family moved to Andover when we were in jr. high school and I got to know him soon after through school and church. Just an all-around good guy. Gone too soon. I didn't keep up with him after graduation, but it sounds like he led a full and happy life. He ran and completed the Boston Marathon twice while receiving radiation treatment for cancer. A real example for us all.

 Social Security Death Index listed Bill's death as Oct. 20, 2002 and he was born in England on Jan. 30, 1949. Lived at 34 Poplar St., Melrose, wife Barbara VanKoy.