Billy Pierce '51
Date of birth: September 1, 1927
Date of death: July 18, 1952
Age: 24
Lucky Bag
From the 1951 Lucky Bag:
Billy Gene Pierce
Joplin, Missouri
The dust still hasn't settled in Joplin since this truncated terror left town for bigger fields . . . a chopped-down version of Charles Atlas, with a pleasant smile and an easy-going manner . . . managed to cudgel his way through skinny and steam, going on to bigger accomplishments on the squash courts and dance floors . . . a keen, cold mind makes him unbeatable around a card table, a spot he can often be found in when not working out on the mattress and pillow . . . a real gourmet, he knows that Mom is still the greatest little chef in captivity . . . two years in the fleet as a fire-controlman gave him experience and background for a long career . . . a great man at a party and even better in a tight spot.
He was also a member of the 6th Battalion staff and of the “House Library Committee.”
Loss
Billy was lost on July 18, 1952 when the plane he was piloting crashed at Barin Field, Pensacola, Florida. He was in flight training.
He was survived by his parents is buried in Missouri.
Class of 1951
Billy is one of 48 members of the Class of 1951 on Virtual Memorial Hall.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of the alumni in Memorial Hall.
