William Rogers "Bill" Pierce

William Rogers Pierce (known as “Bill” during his adult life), 84, originally from Rogersville, TN, passed away peacefully in his home in Johnson City on Saturday September 24, 2022, after a brief battle with bone cancer.

 He was preceded in death by his father, Major William Minnis Pierce of Rogersville, TN, and his mother, Rena Mae Dechman Pierce of Dallas, TX. He is survived by one son, Rye Pierce of Fall Branch, TN; one daughter, Genna (Mark) Preshong of Johnson City, TN; five grandchildren: Rebekah (Sam) Nelson of South Pittsburg, TN; Olivia (John Paul) Lauger of Greenville, SC; Jonathan, Timothy, and Christopher Preshong, still at home in Johnson City, TN; and one great-granddaughter, Zelie Nelson.

Bill graduated from the University of Tennessee with degrees in math and electrical engineering. He worked as an electrical engineer at Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, TN, and at an engineering firm in Knoxville, TN, before deciding to pursue full-time Christian ministry.

In 1988 he moved to San Diego, CA, where he served as a prison missionary at Donovan State Prison for 32 years while also teaching Bible classes and training others in ministry at Lighthouse Baptist Bible Institute. Both allowed him to pursue his greatest life passion: studying the Bible and passing that knowledge on to others in order for them to come to a saving and serving faith in God.

Health concerns caused him to reluctantly retire at 82 and move back to his home state of Tennessee to live with his daughter and family. He enjoyed two and a half years of family life and the comforts of home as he became less able to keep up the demanding pace he had always set for himself, though he did create a blog and write articles for it in order to continue to share his Bible studies with others (see billpierce.org).

A memorial service will be held at the Johnson City Christian and Missionary Alliance Church (2837 Boones Creek Rd, Gray, TN 37615) on Sunday October 16th at 3:00 with refreshments following the service.