William Francis Pearson

William Francis Pearson, 70, of Wilmington, NC, died Sunday, March 8, 2009 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. He was born in New Hanover Co., NC on August 10, 1938, the son of the late Herman D. and Elsie McGowan Pearson. He was preceded in death by a brother, W. Denny Pearson and also a sister, Elsie Lee Pearson Brannon. Bill graduated in the Class of 1957 from New Hanover High School. He served six months active duty in the National Guard while stationed at Ft. Sill, OK. A third generation Exxon employee, he began his career as store manager for Essotane LP Gas in stores in Greenville, Raleigh/Durham, NC and also in Georgetown, SC. He was Terminal Manager with Exxon USA in Chalmette, LA and was in Customer Service with ExxonMobil in Houston, TX, retiring in 1995 after 36 years of service. He was president of the Lions Club in Georgetown, SC and was Vice-President of the Azalea City Kiwanis Club in Wilmington, NC at the time of his death. Bill was also a volunteer with the Sea Gate Fire Department. Since 2000, one of the highlights of Bill's life was to put on his red Santa suit and ride his sleigh in the Pinetops, NC Christmas parade. He always said, ""I don't play Santa, I am Santa"". Each year he brought joy to children and adults alike as he visited events and locations around eastern North Carolina. Surviving are his wife, Shelby Gaskins Pearson of the home, two daughters, Terri Williams and husband, Tommy of Greenville, NC and Rushell Bongiorno and husband, Frank of Wilmington, NC; one son, Tommy Pearson and wife, Becky of Ocean Spring, MS; eight grandchildren, Trey, Tyler and wife, Corrie, and Taylor Williams, Jessica Gibbs and husband, Christian, Danielle and McKenzie Bongiorno, Josh Essington and Amanda Pearson; three great-grandchildren, Cameron Greenway, J.T. Williams, and Elly Gibbs; sister, Becky Pearson Orthaber and husband, John of Middleton, TN; also several nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at Scotts Hill Baptist Church by Pastor Robert Hayes, Jr. and Rev. Jimmy Suggs. The family will receive friends following the service in the Family Life Center. We would like to recognize Bill's special friends, C.L. McKenzie, Frances McGowan, Leon Brown, Richard ""Curly"" Conell , Freddy Justice, Larry Mitchell, Roger Stallings, and son-in-law, Tommy Williams. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401 or to the Azalea City Kiwanis Club, 435 Scotts Hills Loop Rd., Wilmington, NC 28411.