Billy Todd Pearce

Billy T. Pearce, LVN, SGT, US Army

(aka: Hawkeye Pearce)

With heavy hearts and sorrow, we announce on December 19, 2024, Billy Todd (Hawkeye) Pearce passed away at the age of 63 with his loving wife, M. Sue (Mouse) Pearce at his side, in Live Oak, TX.

Hawkeye was born on February 13, 1961, to Billie Lanell Pickett and Edward J. Osborne, CPT, USAF, (deceased) in Kinder, LA. After attending school at Westlake High School, Westlake, LA, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1981. serving 14 valiant years. He initially trained as a Combat Medic, being stationed at Schofield Barracks, HA; Robinson Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany; a Field Artillery Battalion and Ft. Carson Army Hospital, Colorado Springs, CO; and the 4/3rd Field Artillery Battalion, Garlstadt, Germany. He later trained as an Army nurse at Brooke Army Medical Center, Ft. Sam Houston, TX, going on to serve at Fox Army Hospital, Redstone Arsenal, AL and back once again to BAMC, Ft. Sam Houston, TX. Loyal to his country, he continued to serve the nation for an additional 25 years as a Department of Defense Civilian Nurse at BAMC, Ft Sam Houston, TX as well as working at several nursing homes in the San Antonio area, before retiring in 2020. Hawkeye loved being a nurse and he took his responsibilities to heart with his patients and co-workers, winning many awards for his tender, necessary and heart felt care and service.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Sue, along with her son, Robert A. Henkel Sr. and his wife Kathleen, his grandchildren: Lana M. Henkel, Robert A. Henkel, Jr. (RJ) and his wife NaTasha, Justin T. Henkel, John W. Martin, Jessica R. Tolbert and her husband Cortland and his great-grandchildren: Aailaya Henkel, Marley Tolbert, and Dottie Tolbert. He is also survived by his mother, Billie; brother, Mark Wilson; sisters: Donielle Chonko and husband Gary Chonko, Melissa Rome, Nicole Mayeux and husband Lenny Mayeux, and Bronwyn Landry, along with several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and countless friends.

Hawkeye was a fun spirited and often smiling soul who took on many passions. One of which was his extensive love affair of motorcycles and anything related to them, including his many beloved Harleys over the years, and was an avid rider. He even named his latest rescue dog, a 1 yr old Rottweiler, Harley. She was fast becoming his faithful sidekick and is lost without him. When he first met Mouse and they married 2 months later, he told her that if she bought him a new Harley, he would take her once again to Germany. She bought him that Harley, not knowing that he already had orders to be stationed there, where they rode around Europe for 3 years. He heard of the American Legion Riders through a friend, and both he and Sue joined the Legion, the Axillary, and the Riders of Post 593 immediately, and they have been members ever since, even serving as officers at various times.

Hawkeye also had a love of history, especially ancient Egypt, and the Old Testament as well as ancient Mayans, Incas, and Aztecs. He read and studied them all voraciously. Although his love of reading touched on many genres, he liked best the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, G.R.R. Martin, Stephen King, Isaac Asimov, and many newer authors as well. He was an artist at heart. Some of you have seen his drawings, paintings, wood burnings, shirt designs and more, most of which he donated to different fairs and fund raisers. He liked to shoot pool and darts and was currently on the American Legion, Post 593 Pool League until his passing. He had many different collections of swords, knives, watches, movies and music on discs, and other items to numerous to list. With his enthusiasm for most any music, it often gravitated towards country singing, karaoke and dancing.

Although he always said he was “old school” he was trying to learn the world of computers and technology with the help of son, Rob Daddy, and recently acquired his first I-Pad, and often connected to the internet, which baffled him many a time.

You have read here that Hawkeye was “into” many different and odd things. His departure comes as a great shock and a deep wound, and it is gravely felt by family and countless friends and others who loved him in his wide network of community. Although he liked being the center of attention, there will be no formal service; instead, there will be a short event so his remains may be buried with full military honors at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, Pavilion #4 on Friday, January 31, 2025 @ 1400, if you would like to attend. A celebration of Life will be held the following Saturday, February 1, 2025 @ 1300, at The American Legion Post 593, in the Hall, located at 326 Legion Drive W, Converse, TX.

As Hawkeye prioritized finding joy in life and unselfishly sharing it with others, the family asks that you do the same - go out and do something that brings you real joy and share it with those around you. If you feel so moved, reach out and tell us about it - or another joyful time shared with him by contributing to our Guest Book or by e-mail to: [email protected].

There are no words that can express how grateful and blessed we are to all our friends who have been there for us upon learning of his passing. Also, a heartfelt thank you to the Converse EMT, Firefighters, and Police and to the medical staff at NE Methodist Hospital for doing everything they possibly could.

With our warmest thanks from his family.