Murry William "Bill" Pierce, Jr. Obituary (1940 - 2020)

Murry William "Bill" Pierce, Jr., 79, of Decatur, formerly of Pana passed away Monday, June 1, 2020 in St. Mary's Hospital, Decatur due to a lengthy illness and COVID-19 restrictions. He was born September 23, 1940 in Grimsby, IL to the late Murry William Pierce, Sr. & Lillian Alois (Allee) Pierce. Bill married Patricia Ann (Summerfield) Dowdy on October 31, 1970 in Tower Hill and she preceded him on June 21, 2006. Bill was a graduate of Lakeview High School in Decatur and had lived in Pana since the 1970's. He served 9 years as a corpsman in the U.S. Navy, doing a tour of duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis at Key West Naval Hospital. He was employed by Norfolk Western Railroad and worked for Sloan Implement managing their lawn & garden center in Pana. He also served as auxiliary policeman and Health & Zoning officer for the City of Pana, retiring after 25 years of service. Bill also ran for mayor twice and served as Alderman for the City of Pana. He was a member of the Pana Eagle's Club #4109 and enjoyed country & western music with friends at local nursing homes and venues. He also enjoyed travel, especially to Key West and Ft. Myers, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada. Bill is survived by his partner, Jane Tomms, Decatur, IL; children: Shelly (Mike) Pinkston, Decatur, IL; Tena (Danny) Myers, Decatur, IL; Lisa Pierce (Lyle), Decatur, IL; Lianna (Mark) Sopata, Florida; Kim (David) Stephens, Florida; sons: Lester Dowdy, Belleville, IL; Jim Dowdy, Pana, IL; Jerry (Shannon) Dowdy, Decatur; numerous grandchildren & great grandchildren; sister, Connie Munson & family, Fort Myers, FL; and special friends, Scott & Fiona Adams. In addition to his parents & wife, he was preceded in death by his brother, Tom Pierce and dog, Skeeter. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 8, 2020 in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home at 12:00 p.m. with Leon Goff officiating. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, Pana with military rites accorded by the Pana Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation will be Monday from 10:00 a.m. until service time in the funeral home. Memorials in Bill's honor may be made to Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois, Decatur or Christian County Animal Control and will be accepted by McCracken-Dean Funeral Home who is assisting the family.