BILLY G. PIERCE, ENS, USN

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.”

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.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Billy would have completed his flight training on July 25.
He graduated from Joplin High School in 1945: National Honor Society, Diamond and Disc, Rifle Team, Hi-Y.
His father Fred was manager of the Twin Hills Golf and Country Club at Joplin and widely-known in the restaurant business. He served as a captain at Rosecrans Field during WWII. Billy was also survived by his wife.

Billy is buried in Missouri.

Class of 1951

Billy is one of 48 members of the Class of 1951 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

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