William ”Bill” Ward Pierce, 78, of Batesville, passed away Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020.
He was born Jan. 23, 1942, in Poplar Grove, Arkansas to William Marion Pierce and Virginia Josephine (Nelson) Pierce.
Bill was a member of Desha Baptist Church and a veteran of the United States Air Force; he was hardworking and worked at the Independence Steam Electric Station for about 18 years. He was a die-hard Ford man and loved Ford pickups; and enjoyed the outdoors in his younger days. He loved 50’s and 60’s music having grown up in the Golden Era of Rock-n-Roll. Playing music was a constant in his life. He grew up with Lavon Helm where he was a member of The Ramblers, a Rock-a-Billy band inducted into the Rock-a-Billy Hall of Fame. Bill played the guitar and learned to play the piano while just a teenager in The Ramblers.
Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Charlotte LaVon (Finchum) Pierce; daughter, Michelle Paik (Thomas) of Hillsboro, Oregon; step-daughter, Cindy Lynn Craig of Nashville, Tennessee; three grandchildren, Micah Paik, Kylie Vincent, and Noah Paik; as well as several nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and step-daughter, Christy Lea Vincent.
Honorary pallbearers will be the men of the Desha Baptist Church.
Graveside services will begin at 2:00 p.m.Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, at Egner Cemetery in Salado, Arkansas under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home of Batesville with Josh Swinea and Troy Sharp officiating.
Visitation will be held 10:00-11:00 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, at Roller-Crouch Funeral Home.
We are complying with the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines and visitation attendance will be limited to 50 people at one time. All attendees must provide and wear their own masks before entering and social distancing will be observed.
Memorials may be made to Desha Baptist Church, P.O. Box 129, Desha, AR 72527 or Stone County Honor Guard c/o Commander/Chaplain, William Stroud, 1918 Ridge Road, Mountain View, AR 72560.
