Rierson, William Allen

Master Sergeant William Allen Rierson, United States Air Force retired, 76, of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., passed away on Monday, November 24, 2008, after an extended illness.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Annie Jane and Berkley Allen Rierson, of Check, Va.; sisters, Geneva Athelene Moran, of Check, and Mary Blondine Longhi, of New York; and son, Johnny Allen Rierson, of Austin Texas.

He is survived by wives, Elsie Helen (Eanes) Rierson, originally of Floyd, Va., now residing in Orlando, Fla., Nola (Elmore) Rierson, of Gainesville, Fla., and Audrey (Roehsler) Rierson, of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; son and daughter-in-law, William M. and Mary Ann Rierson; two daughters and sons-in-law, Deborah Lynn and Buddy Moore, and Barbara Ann and Dennis Larson; sister and brother-in-law, Shelby Jean and W.T. Conner, of Salem, Va.; 10 grandchildren; three greatgrandchildren; and an untold number of cousins, nephews and nieces.

Allen supported his church in Sierra Vista, Ariz., as a Deacon and orchestrating community children’s charities. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing, boating and working with military and ham radio operators. He loved his family and his country. He supported his national defense as an Airman for over 23 years of active duty USAF service that included combat tours during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. After his military service, he continued in the service of nation as a civilian by supporting military forces in the Middle East and at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., in the early years against international terrorism and drug cartels of South America.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2008, at Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd, Va. Interment will follow in Restvale Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2008, at Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd, Va.