William "Willie" Pierce, Sr

William R. "Willie" Pierce, Sr., 61, of Coal Center, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, in Bruceton Mills, W.Va. A son of the late Everett and Margaret Dowler Pierce, he was born Sept. 25, 1950, in Elco. He was an Army veteran who proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. For many years, Willie worked in construction and drove school bus for Brownsville Bus Lines. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Coal Center, American Legion Post 801 in Roscoe, and the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 209 in North Belle Vernon. He enjoyed woodworking, farming, hunting, fishing, and traveling. He also enjoyed spending time with his close friends and riding his Harley with his son. Willie especially enjoyed spending time at the family camp in Bruceton Mills, but his greatest joy in life was his six grandchildren. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 30 years, Deborah Richir Pierce; a daughter, Kelly Sue Tretter, and husband, Michael, of Coal Center; a son, Samuel Raymond Ross, and companion, Ashley Rager, of Charleroi; two other children, Tammy and Willie Pierce, Jr.; grandchildren, Eric and Abbigail Huweart, Larry Poling, Jr., Troy Hudachek, and Ashton and Sarah Ross; a sister, Linda Nakutis, of Marianna; a brother, Tom Pierce, of Arizona; and his foster children, Abbigail, Samantha, Connor, Stefan and Ariana Shrum. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his infant daughter. Friends will be received Saturday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Melenyzer-DuBarr Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Inc., 1008 Furlong Ave., Roscoe, where a funeral service will be held at 7:30 p.m. with Pastor Randy Landman presiding. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family. American Legion Post 801 will conduct a service in the funeral home on Saturday at 7 p.m., immediately followed by a service by the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 209.