William Edward Pierce, 78, Lakewood, Colo., a former Osawatomie resident, died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2003, at Presbyterian Manor in Topeka.

He was born June 9, 1925, in Osage City, Kan., the only child of Franklin and Marie Pierce. The family moved to Osawatomie in 1926. He graduated from Osawatomie High School with the Class of 1943.

He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific.

He was married to Dolores Jeane Ayers on Jan. 24, 1948, in Osawatomie. They made their home in Pittsburg and became the parents of a daughter. They moved to Elida, N.M., in 1950 and back to Osawatomie in the early 1950s. They later moved to Colorado. His wife preceded him in death.

After his discharge from the military, he attended the University of Kansas and Pittsburg State Teachers College. He then taught in New Mexico. He later worked for Missouri Pacific Railroad, Colorado Southern and later in land development with Burlington Northern.

Mr. Pierce was a member of the Glen Randall Phillips Methodist Church in Lakewood. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 24 , Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 26, Missouri Pacific Boosters Club and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, all in Osawatomie. He was an honorary member of the Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims and the United States Daughters and Sons of 1812.

A daughter, Carol Jezek, also preceded him in death.

Viewing was from 1 to 8 p.m. today (Monday) at Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the chapel, and burial will be in Osawatomie Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Lupus Foundation

Published in the Miami Co. Republic, Dec. 8, 2003