James W. 'Bill' Pierce

James W. “Bill” Pierce, 96, of Winona Lake, passed away at 9:05 am on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 in Grace Village Healthcare Center, Winona Lake. James was born on October 20, 1914 in Norborne, Missouri to Forrest and Beulah M. (Gardner) Pierce. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theatre from 1943 - 1945. He was a member of the 735th Tank Battalion and a recipient of the Silver Star and two Purple Hearts. he was honorably discharged in 1945. James married Allison Watson on August 25, 1946 in Hobart, Indiana. She preceded him in death on February 26, 2009. He was formerly from Hobart until moving to Winona Lake a few years ago. James worked as a lab supervisor for Cities Service Oil Compnay, East Chicago, Indiana, retiring in 1972. He was also a member of Michigan Avenue United Methodist Church, Hobart. James was a man of integrity and determination, who dearly loved his family and the Chicago Cubs. He is survived by two sons, John (and spouse Janice) Pierce, Decatur, Illinois and Lester (and spouse Nanette) Pierce, Warsaw, Indiana; a daughter, Karen (and spouse Ronald) Breitsprecher, Fort Collins, Colorado; 6 grandchildren; Dawn Melvin, Gwen Cronin, Eric and Adam Pierce, Mallery and Austin Pierce; 6 great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents, three brothers; Eugene Pierce, Frank Pierce, William Ralph Pierce and a sister, Mary Ellen Linville. Visitation will be from 10:00 am - 12:00 noon, Saturday, April 16, 2011 at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. Funeral services will be at 12:00 noon, Saturday, April 16, 2011 at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw with John Carlson officiating.Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw with military honors by the American Legion Post #49 and VFW Post #1126 and ARNG. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, Indiana 46590 or to Michigan Avenue United Methodist Church, 116 North Michigan Avenue, Hobart, Indiana 46342.