William Douglas “Bill” Pearce, 68, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on February 29, 2024, after a courageous battle with prostate cancer. He died at (Hospital) in St. Louis, surrounded by the family he loved so dearly.
Bill was born November 21,1955 in Miami, Fla. to the late William Pearce and Diane (Schultz) Pearce. He was blessed with the birth of his son, Will, in 1995. He married the love of his life, Karen, on Oct. 10, 2014, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Silver Lake.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Pearce, of Perryville; his son William “Will” Pearce of Stockton Springs, Maine; his mother-in-law Peggy Blattel of Perryville; his sister- and brother-in-law Gail (Blattel) and Joel Trueblood of Marietta, Ga.; and his best friend Bear.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, David Pearce.
Bill served 13 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and lived his life by the Corps’ core values of honor, courage, and commitment. After his honorable discharge from the Marines, Bill owned a successful commercial diving company for 13 years in North Carolina, and then became the Senior Marine Claims Specialist for Nationwide Insurance. He retired in 2020.
Bill was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, kayaking, and camping with family and friends. He especially enjoyed coastal fishing and kayaking trips with Karen and Will. He will be remembered by his loved ones as a man of integrity who loved God, his family, and his country.
Visitation will be from 9-10 am Saturday, April 6, 2024 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Silver Lake, Mo. The funeral Mass will follow with Rev. Jay Jung, C.M., officiating. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Perryville.
Memorials are preferred to the Wounded Warrior Foundation or the Regional Family Crisis Center in Perryville.
Ford & Young Funeral Home provided arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandyoungfuneralhome.com .