William L. Pearson

By Staff Reports

On Friday, June 1, 2012, William Lawrence Pearson, age 93, of Butler, TN passed from the arms of his loving family into the arms of his heavenly Father and was reunited with his beloved wife of 65 years, Ruby Watson Pearson, who preceded him in death on November 7, 2004.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Pearson was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Bessie Pearson; brothers, Wayne, Elmer, Claude Jr., Bruce “Nuke”, and Bobby Pearson; an infant sister, Helen Pearson, and sisters, Nell Stansberry and Inez Knight; infant granddaughters, Sandy and Susann Pearson, and an infant great-great grandson, Julius Pearson.

Lawrence considered his greatest accomplishment his family, whom he took great pride in. “Pa” was a loving husband, father and grandfather, our family patriarch, who we love, admire, respect and will miss beyond measure.He leaves behind to honor and cherish his memory his sister, Marie McQueen; his sons, Billy Pearson and wife, Lorean, and Jerry Pearson; his daughters, Paulette Norris and husband Walter, Ann Wolfe, Debra Greenwell and husband Jim, Reta Presnell and husband Jay; his grandsons, Lt. Col. Terrance Pearson and wife Becky, Joel Norris and wife Denise, Alan Pearson and wife Mindy; his granddaughter Miranda Pearson; great grandchildren, Timothy, Kaitlyn, Allie, Alec, Taylor, Faith and Amber; his great great grandson, Hayden, and a special lifelong friend, R.V. Brown. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.

First and foremost, Lawrence loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and was a faithful Christian servant. His Christian example is the legacy he leaves his family and all who knew him. Lawrence was a member of Sugar Grove Baptist Church for 65 years. He loved singing in the choir and in quartets, a gift he passed on to many of his family.

Lawrence was also a talented woodworker building everything from kitchen knives to dulcimers to furniture. He also loved spending time with and training his loyal companion, Zaccheaus.

Lawrence retired from Appalachian State University in 1981 where he worked as a carpenter. In earlier years, he worked as a logger and during WWll he worked with the Civilian Conservation Corp. He also worked for TVA helping to construct the Watauga Dam and for North American Rayon.

Services for Lawrence Pearson will be held Sunday, June 3, 2012, at Sugar Grove Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 5 p.m. with Reverends Tim Tapp, Ray Greene and Doug Ranshaw officiating. Burial will follow in the Sugar Grove Cemetery. Music will be provided by Joel Norris, Ray Don Markland and the Sugar Grove Baptist Church Choir.

Active pallbearers will be Walter Norris, Jim Greenwell, Jay Presnell, Lt. Col. Terrance Pearson, Joel Norris, Alan Pearson, and Timothy Pearson. Honorary pallbearers are R.V. Brown and the men of Sugar Grove Baptist Church.

We wish to express our gratitude to Dr. Kenny Hopland, Dr. Phil Jones, Dr. Jeffery Schoondyke and the Johnson County Rescue Squad.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sugar Grove Baptist Church or the Johnson County Rescue Squad.

On-line condolences may be sent to the family and viewed by visiting our website at www.hathawaypercy.com. The family has entrusted the care of Pa to Hathaway-Percy Funeral and Cremation Services. Office: 543-5544