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Willis W. Pearce
Willis W. Pearce from Vienna Times, May 28, 1964
Willis W. Pearce, son of the late William H. and Mary Hodge Pearce, was
born February 24, 1882 in Johnson County. He passed away at his home
east of Buncombe on May 16, 1964 at the age of 82 years.
He
was the second of a family of 9 children, 5 of whom still survive. They
are Mrs. Ora White, Frank and Alvin Pearce, all of Buncombe, Mrs. Amy
Hicks of Blue Island and Mrs. Leah Hogg of Marion. Preceding him in
death were a sister, Alva and an infant brother, Tullie, is (sic) the
year 1897, and a sister Nan Hart in 1962. Others to survive his passing
are Charles W. Loback, a grandson, of Belleville; Mrs. Johnny Jean
Young, a granddaughter, of Pensacola, Fla.; 4 great grandchildren, Eviah
Agnes Loback, Darla Jean, James Newton and Debra Lynn Young; many nieces
and nephews and other relatives as well as a host of friends.
Mr.
Pearce was married to Ozella G. Ragsdale in 1905 and to this union were
born a son, Herman and a daughter Agnes. In 1940 Mr. Pearce witnessed
the death of his son. In 1945 he lost Agnes after nursing her through
weeks of agonizing suffering. In July 1955 his wife, Mrs. Ozella was
laid to rest at Mt. Zion.
Amid
his sorrows there was a deep abiding faith that sustained him and
strengthened those around him. He seemed to say as Emily Bronte, “No
coward soul is mine, No trembler in the world’s storm-troubled sphere.
I see Heaven’s glories shine, and faith shines equal, arming me from
fear.” Or perhaps as Job when he said, “The Lord giveth, the Lord
taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” To others who were in
trouble he was ever ready with a word of compassionate kindness, comfort
and cheer.
Mr. Pearce started his career as a Johnson county school teacher, having taught two terms at Tall Tree and also two at Pleasant Grove. In 1907 he accepted employment with the American Creosoting Company and moved to Marion. Because of his ambition, dependability and integrity, promotions came rapidly to him. He stayed with the company until his retirement in 1949. During those years he worked in Trenton, Ontario; Shreveport, La.; and Brunswick, Ga., where he reared his family.
Bro.
Willis accepted Christ as his savior when he was a young man and for
many years was a member of the First Baptist church of Marion. At his
retirement he moved back to Buncombe, brought his membership to Mt. Zion
and spent his last years in devoted service to his Lord and Master
here. To him, always, a task worth doing was worth doing well.
He
was a 32nd degree member of the Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons of Illinois in the Marion Lodge. This year he was to have
received his 50th year pin in the organization of Masonry.
Mr.
Pearce dwelt alone, but was not lonely for the world was his home,
everyone in need his charge, every Christian his brother. Even today, to
those of us who mourn his passing, his life seems to echo back the
refrain from Tennyson.
“Twilight and evening bell,
And
after that the dark.
And
may there be no sadness of farewell
When
I embark.
And
tho’ from our boone of time and place,
The
flood may bear me far,
I
hope to meet my Pilot face to face
When
I have cross the bar.”
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