Billy C. Pierce

MOUNT IDA — Billy Charles Pierce, 82 of Mount Ida, Ark., departed this earth to meet his Lord on May 15, 2020.

He was born in Poteau, Okla., on July 13, 1937. He was a beloved husband, father and a dear friend to many.

Billy is survived by his wife and best friend, Charlotte, of 60 years of marriage; his daughter, Carolyn Jean Pierce; son-in-law, Greg Break; son, Glenn Elmer Pierce; daughterin-law, Tracy Pierce; and beloved dog, Padee.

Billy joined the USAF on Dec.

15, 1955. He spent a year in Vietnam in 1965 and remained in the service for 28 years, 8 months and 15 days. Bill’s greatest AF achievement was three meritorious awards presented to him for a job well done, 11 other awards and flight crew wings while serving in the USAF. He reached the rank of E-9 (chief master sergeant). He held the position of avionics maintenance supervisor at Edwards AFB, which is the Flight Test Center of the Air Force, when he retired.

At the time of his retirement, a fellow AF friend/boss hired Billy for a job with Hughes Aircraft to be a logistic support supervisor for the Phoenix missile, in Long Beach, Calif. Three years later, he was reassigned to Hughes Aircraft in Tucson, Ariz., where he again retired after a total of 10 years.

His last 26 years in Mount Ida have been spent in retirement mode, which included fishing, camping and traveling. Billy was a long-standing member of Joplin United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Billy may make a donation to Warm Hearts Humane Society Inc., a nonprofit, P.O. Box

535, Mount Ida, AR 71957; or the Joplin Methodist Church, 59 Mountain Harbor Road, Mount Ida, AR 71957.

Arrangements were made under the direction of Thornton Funeral Home of Mount Ida, Ark. Guest register at http://www.thorntonfh.com.