Houston Pearce

TUSCALOOSA – Houston Pearce, age 89, passed away September 9, 2022 at Hospice of West Alabama. The family will receive friends at a memorial gathering hosted by Memory Chapel Funeral Home on Sunday, September 18, 2022 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Houston was born at the Infirmary at the Allison Lumbar Company in Bellamy Alabama on April 10 ,1933, 8 miles from his childhood home in Whitfield Alabama. He grew up in Whitfield where his family owned a general store. His father, Floyd Pearce, passed away when Houston was only 8 years old, leaving his mother, Susie Houston Pearce to raise 4 children, Susie Floyd, Houston, Dean and Richard. All the children worked together to run the house and the general store. He graduated from Sumter County High School in York Alabama, he then went to attend Livingston University, now known as University of West Alabama. After two years, he attended the University of Alabama, School of Commerce and Business Administration . After graduation, giving the prospect of being drafted in the Military, Houston joined the army and was stationed at the Nike Missile Base in Providence Rhode Island. After completing his duties in the military, he moved back home to Whitfield, Alabama with the intention of taking over the family store. His mother, encouraged him to pursue other avenues. So it began, in 1959, his career in the radio business, he obtained a license and constructed, along with two friends, the first radio station in Choctaw County Alabama, WPRN 1230 AM. He then met Voncile Roberts and two years later married. He went on to own many radio stations across the southeast. Houston and Voncile were inducted into the University of Alabama’s Hall of Fame, School of Commerce and Business Administration ,in October of 2019. His family and children were raised in Jasper Alabama. Later in life, he and Voncile moved to Tuscaloosa where Houston’s radio business continued and lived till his death.

He is survived by Voncile Pearce, his wife of 62 years, children Christie Myers, ( Mark) Dean,(Tammy) and Susan Arnold (Scott). Grandchildren, Thomas Arnold (Nikita), David Arnold, William Arnold, Houston Pearce, Hayes Pearce, and Meredith Myers.

Houston will be missed by his family and friends.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Salvation Army.