Celebrating the life of
William L. Pierce, Jr.
December 30, 1926 - May 23, 2013
SAVANNAH - William Lloyd Pierce, Jr., 86, died May 23, 2013 at St. Joseph's Hospital.
Born December 30, 1926 in Brooklyn, NY he was the son of William Lloyd Pierce, Sr. and Madelaine Nollman Pierce. He attended P.S. 32 in Flushing, Long Island, NY, The Foxwood School in Kingsport, Long Island, and The New Hampton School. During the summers for ten years he attended Camp Dudley in Upper State New York which he always said was one the most pivotal points of his life.
After attending Colgate University for one year he decided to serve his country and voluntarily joined the United States Marine Corps. He served in Guam and Japan and received an Honorable Discharge. His passions were playing drums, golf, hockey, and baseball. He played golf from California to Augusta, GA, playing at the Augusta National Golf Course. During his golfing career he scored two holes in one.
He married the love of his life, Lois Cunningham, on December 30, 1950, his birthday, so he would never forget his anniversary.
A highly respected businessman, Bill was Vice President of Sales of Edwards Company, Sales Manager at Federal Pacific Electric Co. and also represented Tork Electric. He was an asset to any company he worked for. As a sales manager wherever he went sales went up. Many people said he was one of the greatest guys they have ever known and one of his dearest friends said he had the heart of a lion. He was devoted to making his wife Lois very happy, and one of his caregivers said he worshipped the ground she walked on. He was a wonderful story teller and had a fantastic sense of humor until the day he died. He made everyone around him happy and "B" never met a stranger. Two of his favorite sayings were "It's the little things in life that count" and "The early bird gets the worm." He made a difference in the lives of everyone he touched from his family to anyone in the world. Bill survived Polio as an adult and was very tenacious in his survival. He had a wonderful spirit and a grateful attitude.
He was a member of the Cherokee Town and Country Club, the B.Y.O, and T.I.E.D. in Atlanta and The Landings Club in Savannah.
Surviving are his wife, Lois Cunningham Pierce of Savannah; two daughters, Dale Pierce Taylor of Atlanta and Alison Pierce Turner and her husband Brian Saulisbury Turner of Middleburg, VA; his former son-in-law Stephen Howard Taylor of Erie, PA; three grandchildren, William Stephen Taylor of Atlanta, Zachary Pierce Taylor of Brooklyn, NY, and Lauren Kate Turner of Washington, DC; nieces, Cyndy Bailes of TN and Diana Gittins of England; brother-in-law, Thomas Cunningham of Northbrook, IL; sisters-in-law, Beth Anderson and Nancy Carlson of Brevard, NC. He was predeceased by his sister Lloyd Pierce Butler.
The family would like to thank all the caregivers throughout all his hospitalizations and home care for their care and dedicated service.
A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel. The family will receive friends after the service.
Remembrances may be made to the VFW.org and Camp Dudley, 126 Dudley Rd., Westport, NY 12993.
Please sign our on-line guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com
Bill was a friend, brother, listener, and involved in our businesses, lives, families and always positive, a true Human Being. My wife Nancy and I enjoyed the far too few times we spent together with he and Lois. He shall be missed, but never forgotten.
- Bob, St Pete Beach, FL
Friend for 55 years; 100's of rounds of golf,sharing much of our lives with our extended Pierce family and countless wonderful memories. Billy had a great life and will be missed. ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS 'Those we love don't go away They walk beside us everyday Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.'
- Carol & Bill Adams, Atlanta, GA
It just so happens that one of the greatest guys on earth was my Uncle Bill. I have had the honor of knowing him all my life. From childhood, all the way through the crazy child rearing years. He was always engaged in our lives, sharing funny stories and memories. Loved to hear about the Kremer boys and what they are up to. Uncle Bill, you will always be loved and missed by our family. May you par every hole in heaven and have a Frosted Orange and Chili Dog waiting for you at the turn around. Love to Aunt LoLo, Dale and Allison. Wish I could be there with you all right now. We miss you! Love, The Kremers Alex & Debby Christopher, Stephen and Alex
- Debby Cunningham-Kremer, Barrington, IL
Bill was a great friend. Enjoyed getting life and golf lessons from him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Cherokee & BYO member.
- Spence Hilburn, Marietta, GA
Sorry to learn of Mr. Pierce's passing. He had a remarkable life, and will be missed.
- Gene Holmes, Cumming, GA
Never a better man; Bill was kind, smart, a loving devoted husband and father and a great story teller, sharing his life's experiences, quite often with a humorous twist. He was always interested in what our family was doing. My yearly visits in March with Lois and Bill was a 'catch up' time for us. I treasure these memories. His positive attitude rubbed off on those around him and stayed with him up to the end. His spirit will be with me always. Never a better man...
- Barb Cunninghan, Barrington, IL
Bill hired me as a salesman with Federal Pacific in 1969. He was my regional manager for 17 years. During this time my wife Sarah and I enjoyed many wonderful times with Bill and Lois. I will always think of Bill as a considerate gentleman of the highest order. He will be missed.
- Brad Bittle, Knoxville, TN
Dale, Don and are friends of John Carmichael you visited us in Bluffton. Although I only met your father once he was quite a gentleman. I just happened to see his obituary in the paper yesterday. I am so sorry about your loss and my thoughts are with you and your family. Sending a big hug to you. Babbie Guscio
- Babbie Paris Guscio, Bluffton, SC
In the 1970's Bill and I were major competitors. Boy was he tough on all those MARTA Stations. He took 19 out of 22 before I figured out he knew the missing ingredient that gave him the edge. We became great friends through BYO and he will certainly be missed by many, myself included. He was a genuinely nice guy.
- Dave Harrison, Marietta, GA
My thoughts and prayers to you my dear friend Dale and your beautiful family. with love, Susan
- Susan Solomon, Atlanta, GA
BILL WAS THE VERY BEST HUSBAND--FATHER AND FRIEND. IN HIS OWN WAY HE WAS A ROLE MODEL AND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN FOR HIS COURAGE AND CHARACTER. A BEST FRIEND TO ALL WHO KNEW HIM. HIS LOVE FOR LOIS AND FAMILY WERE SPECIAL.
- jack rogers, VERO BEACH, GA
We send our condolences out to the entire Pierce family on their loss. Emmary and Larry Carlson Redding, CT
- Emmary Carlson, Redding, CT
My condolences go out to the entire Pierce family on their loss. DAVIS HEWITT
- Davis Hewitt, Atlanta, GA
As a good friend of Dale's, I would like to add my condolences to his wife and family and friends. May the love you shared buoy you up through this hard transition.
- Krista Vinkemulder, Atlanta, GA
I was fortunate to know Bill as a fellow member of BYO in Atanta. Bill was always a consummate gentleman and completely devoted to Lois. Although our world is a little dimmer with Bill's passing, there is a new star that's visible - just look.
- Johnny Brown, Atlanta, GA
Bill was a friend, brother, listener, and involved in our businesses, lives, families and always positive, a true Human Being. My wife Nancy and I enjoyed the far too few times we spent together with he and Lois. He shall be missed, but never forgotten.
- Bob, St Pete Beach, FL
Friend for 55 years; 100's of rounds of golf,sharing much of our lives with our extended Pierce family and countless wonderful memories. Billy had a great life and will be missed. ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS 'Those we love don't go away They walk beside us everyday Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.'
- Carol & Bill Adams, Atlanta, GA
It just so happens that one of the greatest guys on earth was my Uncle Bill. I have had the honor of knowing him all my life. From childhood, all the way through the crazy child rearing years. He was always engaged in our lives, sharing funny stories and memories. Loved to hear about the Kremer boys and what they are up to. Uncle Bill, you will always be loved and missed by our family. May you par every hole in heaven and have a Frosted Orange and Chili Dog waiting for you at the turn around. Love to Aunt LoLo, Dale and Allison. Wish I could be there with you all right now. We miss you! Love, The Kremers Alex & Debby Christopher, Stephen and Alex
- Debby Cunningham-Kremer, Barrington, IL
Bill was a great friend. Enjoyed getting life and golf lessons from him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Cherokee & BYO member.
- Spence Hilburn, Marietta, GA
Sorry to learn of Mr. Pierce's passing. He had a remarkable life, and will be missed.
- Gene Holmes, Cumming, GA
Never a better man; Bill was kind, smart, a loving devoted husband and father and a great story teller, sharing his life's experiences, quite often with a humorous twist. He was always interested in what our family was doing. My yearly visits in March with Lois and Bill was a 'catch up' time for us. I treasure these memories. His positive attitude rubbed off on those around him and stayed with him up to the end. His spirit will be with me always. Never a better man...
- Barb Cunninghan, Barrington, IL
Bill hired me as a salesman with Federal Pacific in 1969. He was my regional manager for 17 years. During this time my wife Sarah and I enjoyed many wonderful times with Bill and Lois. I will always think of Bill as a considerate gentleman of the highest order. He will be missed.
- Brad Bittle, Knoxville, TN
Dale, Don and are friends of John Carmichael you visited us in Bluffton. Although I only met your father once he was quite a gentleman. I just happened to see his obituary in the paper yesterday. I am so sorry about your loss and my thoughts are with you and your family. Sending a big hug to you. Babbie Guscio
- Babbie Paris Guscio, Bluffton, SC
In the 1970's Bill and I were major competitors. Boy was he tough on all those MARTA Stations. He took 19 out of 22 before I figured out he knew the missing ingredient that gave him the edge. We became great friends through BYO and he will certainly be missed by many, myself included. He was a genuinely nice guy.
- Dave Harrison, Marietta, GA
My thoughts and prayers to you my dear friend Dale and your beautiful family. with love, Susan
- Susan Solomon, Atlanta, GA
BILL WAS THE VERY BEST HUSBAND--FATHER AND FRIEND. IN HIS OWN WAY HE WAS A ROLE MODEL AND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN FOR HIS COURAGE AND CHARACTER. A BEST FRIEND TO ALL WHO KNEW HIM. HIS LOVE FOR LOIS AND FAMILY WERE SPECIAL.
- jack rogers, VERO BEACH, GA
We send our condolences out to the entire Pierce family on their loss. Emmary and Larry Carlson Redding, CT
- Emmary Carlson, Redding, CT
My condolences go out to the entire Pierce family on their loss. DAVIS HEWITT
- Davis Hewitt, Atlanta, GA
As a good friend of Dale's, I would like to add my condolences to his wife and family and friends. May the love you shared buoy you up through this hard transition.
- Krista Vinkemulder, Atlanta, GA
I was fortunate to know Bill as a fellow member of BYO in Atanta. Bill was always a consummate gentleman and completely devoted to Lois. Although our world is a little dimmer with Bill's passing, there is a new star that's visible - just look.
- Johnny Brown, Atlanta, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
