Lawrence was born near and has been a lifetime resident of Douglass, Kansas. He graduated from Augusta High School in 1940. While attending Augusta, Lawrence played varsity football, lettering three years. After graduation he attended a vocational school in Wichita and worked at Boeing for one and one-half years. In 1942, Lawrence enlisted in the Navy and served in the South Pacific during World War II. In 1947 he went into the construction trade with which he is involved today. Lawrence also served as a Marine fighter pilot during the Korean War.

In 1965, Lawrence became active in the Kansas Kid Wrestling Program. A founder of the Douglass Kid Program, he helped to form the Mid-Kansas Junior Wrestling Association. Mr. Alley coached Kid Wrestling for 10 years in Douglass and also was active in PeeWee baseball.

Lawrence has not only been a very active organizer and promoter of Kid Wrestling over the last 20 years he is also a great fan of the sport. He has had three sons who have won two Kansas High School State Wrestling Championship titles and he has traveled not only across the United States to watch the sport but also to Iran in 1978.

Along with using his construction business to help develop Douglass, Mr. Alley has been active in the community as a member of the school board, recreation commission, Douglass Lions Club, Chairman of the Douglass Zoning and Planning Board, and Deacon of the Douglass Church of Christ.

Received the Distinguished Flying Cross in the Korean War.