William Nelson Pierce, Jr.

William Nelson Pierce, Jr.
William Nelson Pierce, Jr.

William Nelson Pierce, Jr.,96, of Amarillo, TX died on February 3, 2021.

Private family services will be held.
 
Bill was born in Perryton, TX on January 23, 1925, to Thelma and William Nelson Pierce, Sr. Bill was the first of three children. He had two younger sisters, Jean and Peggy. The family made several moves while William, Sr. worked for Santa Fe Railroad, including to Bovina, TX; Reydon, OK; and then Booker, TX in 1938. Bill completed high school in Booker in 1941.
 
Bill joined the 2nd Marine Division at age 17 and fought in the Pacific Theater. He returned to the states in 1946 and worked for Santa Fe, where he had been employed prior to his joining the Marines. Over the next thirty-five years, he would work for the railroad in Waynoka, OK; Amarillo, TX; Chicago, IL; and Clovis, NM. He retired at age 56.
 
Bill married Dona Hawkey in 1946 in Waynoka, OK, where both were working for Santa Fe. They moved to Amarillo in 1951. The couple had two boys, Jack and Charlie. Bill got his Associate’s degree at Amarillo College and was working toward a degree in Pharmacology at West Texas State University in Canyon in 1970 when Dona died of cancer.
 
Bill married Vera Campbell of Amarillo, whose husband had died. She had a son, Russell. During their 50-year marriage, they lived in Chicago and Clovis, and retired in Amarillo in 1981.
 
Bill enjoyed golf (playing into his 90s), flying a private plane, traveling in their RV, woodworking, teaching Sunday School at Polk Street Methodist Church, and volunteering at BSA hospital.
 
Survivors include wife, Vera; two sons, Jack Pierce and his wife, PJ, of Austin, and Charlie Pierce and his wife, Sharon, of Austin; stepson, Russell Campbell and his wife, Sandy, of Amarillo; and sister, Jean of Stillwater, OK. Survivors also include six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Polk Street Methodist Church of Amarillo.

5 Replies to “William Nelson Pierce, Jr.”

  1. I didn’t know Bill but I know his son Charlie here in Austin. Charlie is a great ambassador for the family!
    As a former Marine I think that I know Bill anyway because of the things he learned in the Marine Corps. He was obviously a shining example to the community of Amarillo.
    Our condolences to the family and friends and Semper Fidelis to all!

  2. Uncle Bill’s memorial service was heartwarming and full of love. We enjoyed hearing the stories from his sons and grandsons. Uncle Bill was truly a remarkable man with many abilities; he sent us e-cards, too! If his e-mail changed, he would let us know so we could keep in touch with Aunt Vera and him. Always admired him for his ability to be so tech-saavy! We always enjoyed seeing and listening to Uncle Bill when he visited us in Oklahoma. Thank you for the Zoom Service. Our deepest sympathy, Kenton & Toni Burgess (Uncle Bill & Aunt Vera’s nephew & niece, Russell & Sandy’s cousins)

  3. I remember Uncle Bill fondly from our childhood trips to see our Hawkey grandparents in Oklahoma. He was a solid and kind presence on our visits there.

  4. Bill was one of the finest men I’ve ever known. He was a shining example of how to serve the Lord and a man of integrity. He was a true patriot. He will be missed!

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