Walter Pierce

Walter Pierce, 85, passed away on November 9, 2026. Born November 3, 1941, in Alabama, Walter grew up with a deep love and an early devotion to his family. He also developed a passion for sports as a young man, especially baseball. Watching the games with delight and playing baseball, basketball as well as football with the same steady determination that would mark his life.

Walter left his home of Alabama as a teenager and moved to New York City in search of new opportunity and life for himself. In his mid-20s, Walter was drafted and honorably served in the United States Army, serving his country through the Vietnam War. Drawn to purposeful work and guided by a firm sense of right and wrong, he followed his military service by pursuing his dream of law enforcement and served with pride for 21 years with the New York Police Department in the 1970s and beyond. Walter was a keeper of countless stories and experiences from those years, and he never tired of sharing them—each one offered with sincerity, grit, and the unmistakable pride of a man who had earned his memories.

Walter would re-commit himself to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in adulthood. When Walter moved to New York, he didn't have his mother to usher him to church every Sunday anymore. While walking through life alongside his loving wife, Joan, she brought the Lord back into Walter's life. He begun churchgoing with her and attended Evangel Church.

After retirement, Walter could often be found at home in his chair, legs kicked up, watching sports on TV—especially baseball. A devoted Dodgers fan who also kept an eye on the Yankees, he followed sports with the faithful attention of someone who truly loved the games. He also loved to travel and returned to New York as often as he could, always eager to keep moving and, whenever possible, to bring his family along so they could experience the city through his eyes.

Walter’s life was defined by work ethic and perseverance—by the kind of honest effort that does not seek applause, but leaves a lasting mark. He never wanted to stop working, and he made it a point to pass along what he believed: the importance of hard work and building a life for yourself. In conversation—especially when a story was coming—he had a signature gesture out of the many that his family would call "Walterisms": he would put his hand out, wiggle his fingers, and say, “Let me tell you something!” before launching into another tale. Those who knew him will remember not only the words, but the spirit behind them: steady, resilient, and unafraid to meet life head-on.

Walter adored all of his grandchildren and their joy never failed to bring a smile to his face. His Southern grandchildren named him Papa. It became a name that even friends and family would know him by. His East Coast grandchildren would lovingly call him grandpa.

Walter is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Joan Octavia Pierce; four children; 8 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; 6 siblings; as well as a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home, 10505 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36117, on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Graveside Service will be held the following day at Alabama National Cemetery, 3133 Hwy 119, Montevallo, AL 35115, on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at 1:15 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Walter may be made to the American Diabetes Association.