Pierce Sr., John W.
John W. Pierce, Sr., 80, of Radford, went to the arms of Christ Jesus on Friday, June 29, 2007. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church of Radford. Mr. Pierce was a chemical engineer for Hercules Corporation for 39 years at RAAP.
He graduated from Radford High School in 1945 and recently was the speaker for the Class of 1945 reunion gathering. He earned a BS degree in Chemistry from Emory and Henry College in 1949.
Born in Erwin, Tennessee in 1926, he was the son of Rev. L.W. Pierce and lived all over Southwest Virginia, southern West Virginia, and eastern Tennessee, as his father served in a number of Methodist churches. During his lifetime he was the projectionist at the Radford Theater, taught chemistry and coached football at Fries High School, and served as senior project director and chief engineer at RAAP for over 39 years.
He was most proud of his team’s work and development of the 120mm tank cannon for the Abrams M1 tank and won numerous awards for his projects.
He was loved by many in his church family and always showed up for Sunday early service, usually more than an hour early. More important than his work career was the love and service he gave his family and the legacy of Christian faith and service to others passed on from his father the preacher.
He and his wife, Margaret Rector Pierce, were married more than 50 years. He is now reunited with her at the throne. He dearly loved his son, John W. Pierce, Jr. and his son dearly loved his dad. John Sr. taught John Jr. to swim, catch and throw, ride a bike, woodwork, persevere and most of all how to love his family. John adored his two grandchildren, Hannah Danielle Pierce and Josiah Samuel Pierce and John Junior’s wife Vicky. Mr. Pierce was preceded in death by his wife Margaret, his parents, Rev. L.W. Pierce and Pearl Riley Pierce, his brothers Don, Walter, Lewis Jr., Joe, and sister Emma Margaret Williams.
He is survived by his son, John W. Pierce, Jr., daughter-in-law, Victoria, grandchildren Hannah and Josiah Pierce; brother James Pierce of Bristol; and sister Mary Sue Boesinger of Cincinnati, Ohio. Special thanks are due his long term friends and caregivers, Sissy Sherman and Tiffany Sherman for their love and care for Mr. Pierce.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. 2 Tim. 7
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 2, 2007 at 12 noon at the Central United Methodist Church in Radford with Pastor Ric Wright officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunrise Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Central United Methodist Church Building Fund, 803 Wadsworth Street, Radford, VA 24141. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10 a.m. until 12 noon Monday at the church. The Pierce family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford, www.mullinsfuneralhome.com.