William Thomas Pierce

William Thomas Pierce, 95, passed away peacefully and entered into glory on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, surrounded by his immediate family, covering four generations. Born on September 16, 1920, in Cleveland, VA, he was the eldest son of Richard M. Pierce and Cecile Iva Jessee Pierce. He was preceded in death by his parents and by two brothers, Richard “Dickie” Pierce and John Henry Pierce.

The dearly loved patriarch of the family is survived by his wife of 68 years, Crystal Mae Coleman Pierce; daughters Marsha Edwards (Earl) and Karen Parkinson (Geary); his beloved grandsons Travis Parkinson (Erika), Will Edwards (Erin) and Zachary Parkinson; great grandchildren Avery Parkinson and Rylan and Noa Edwards; step-great grandchildren Makaila Brown and Emmaleigh Timmons; brother Jesse B. Pierce; sister Jean K. Hester; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A member of “the greatest generation,” Mr. Pierce was a member of the Army Air Force and was a veteran of World War II, serving as a radio operator in Africa. He retired as a rural mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service in Culpeper, but continued working well into his eighties at Safeway, Aide’s, and Rochester Corporation. He was a member of Culpeper Baptist Church and played guitar on the Praise Team for many years. He was a life-long guitar player, an avid Chet Atkins fan, and a member of the “Blue Bonnet Boys” band as well as other bands over the years. A grandfather extraordinaire affectionately known as “Poppy,” he attended nearly every activity in which his grandsons were involved, whether soccer games, band concerts or drama performances.

The family will receive visitors on Friday, April 15, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at Clore-English Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Saturday, April 16, 2016, at 1 p.m. at Culpeper Baptist Church followed by interment at Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the Culpeper Baptist Church Building Fund.

Online condolences may be offered through www.clore-english.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Clore-English Funeral Home, 11190 James Monroe Hwy., Culpeper, VA.