William Eugene Pearson, (1923 - 2017) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

Let the memory of William be with us forever

94 years old
Born on August 14, 1923
Passed away on September 5, 2017

This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, William (Bill) Pearson, 94, born on August 14, 1923 and passed away on September 5, 2017. We will remember him forever.

William Eugene Pearson
August 14, 1923 - September 5, 2017

William (Bill) Pearson passed away September 5, 2017, at his home in Sparks, NV with his loving wife Pauline by his side. He was born on August 14th, 1923, in Springdale, Arkansas to Ova and Jewel Lee Pearson.

Bill graduated from Springdale High School and served in the Army Air Corps (the US Air Force) during WWII. He later settled in Portola, California.

In the 1950s, Bill and his brother Buster bought a small logging company. With a binding agreement no more than a handshake, the two brothers worked together side by side with a great crew to build the company. When they sold Pearson Brothers, Inc. years later, it was the largest logging company in northern California. Several years later, Bill started Sierra Valley Truss Co., which he operated for 31 years.

In 1961, Bill met and married his "little bride" of 56 years, Pauline, and they had three children: Bill Jr., Joel, and Jill. At the time, they lived in Reno, NV and later moved to the small town of Gardnerville, NV to raise their children.

Bill loved car racing. In the 1950s, he and three of his brothers drove race cars in Herlong and Reno. The fifth brother was a member of the pit crew. In later years, his son, Bill Jr. followed in the footsteps of his father and uncles and began a career racing cars. Father Bill was his #1 fan, sponsor and crew member. He also sponsored other drivers and was a well-known figure at the race tracks. He seldom missed a race and was there trackside.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Dorothy and brothers, James and John. He is survived by his wife, Pauline Pearson of Sparks, NV, son Bill Pearson (wife Lucinda) of Reno, NV, son Joel Pearson of Sacramento, CA, daughter Jill Pearson of Sacramento, CA, grandchildren Joseph and Jessica Pearson and brothers Buster (Kenneth) Pearson of Cold Springs, NV, Tom Pearson of Redding, CA, and B.J. Pearson of Portola, CA along with many nieces and nephews.

For his family and friends who knew him well, he was a giant of a man; loving, generous and kind. He was a man of great integrity, and his word was his bond. To his kids, he was at least ten feet tall. He left a tremendous void in many lives and will be greatly missed. With God’s mercy and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we look forward to seeing him again and spending eternity together.

At his request, there will be no funeral service. If you would like to express your condolences or share a special memory, please visit http://william-eugene-pearson.forevermissed.com/.

Tributes

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September 5, 2023

Thinking of you guys today, and missing you. May God be very close to you as you remember again the gift of Bill and all the joy he meant. Hope we can be in touch. My email remains the same. : )
Joyce Nord

September 5, 2021

We love and miss you Dad. What a wonderful, wonderful father you were!! ❤

June 26, 2019

I've pretty much known the Pearson family my whole life! My dad was Ray Russell and he was the 'truck boss' head mechanic for Pearson Brother's logging and we lived on the 'ranch' near Beckwourth. The relationship he had with Bill and Bus was awesome Our whole family thought the world of Bill and Buster. I remember Bill as a gentle, soft spoken man. After my dad passed, he called my mom, quite often, to check on her. She was very touched by that. She would say " I think he is making sure I'm ok for your dad" I'm sure some old logging stories are being swapped in heaven. With love and sympathy, Sandy Russell White

August 15, 2018

You are also in my prayers. I hope you are doing well and would so love to be in touch. My number remains in the Gardnerville listing. All God's best to you and our love.
Joyce Nord

September 27, 2017

I had the privilege of meeting Bill and getting to know him several years ago. I loved talking with him about the past as well as the present. What a super nice man! I, too, believe we will have the opportunity to visit again as he shared with me his faith in what Jesus had done for him. I look forward to visiting with you when I get there, Bill! Jim

I'm grateful for Uncle Bill's KIND SPIRIT. He was always so THOUGHTFUL and genuinely wanted to know what was going on in my life. We always looked forward to going to family reunions to get to see everyone. I appreciated his legacy of HARD WORK and HONESTY. My dad told stories of the adventures he had working for Uncle Bill. I'm sad he's no longer just an hour away, but I cherish the fact that he's with JESUS now and that because of JESUS, I will see him again! All my love to Aunt Pauline, Bill, Jill, Joel, and their families! Love, Kathy : )

September 27, 2017

From Leonard & Elaine Ross:

Thank you so much. We are blessed to have had him as a special friend. We will surely miss him and pray he is at peace.

Love, Leonard & Elaine

September 22, 2017

I worked for Bill and Buster(Kenneth)In Modoc County in the 70's, some of the best people I ever worked for. I don't think I could have made it debt free through college without them. We affectionately referred to them as "Big daddy" and "Uncle Buster". My condolences to Pauline and family.

September 22, 2017

I worked summers for Bill and Buster(Kenneth) in Modoc county in the 70"s, some of the best people I ever worked for. I don't think I could have made it debt-free through college without them. We affectionately referred to them as "Big Daddy" and "Uncle Buster" My condolences to Pauline and Family.

September 12, 2017

What a wonderful man! I think of you all very often. Much love to you all!
David Park

September 12, 2017

My thoughts and prayers to all of Bill's family. Bill was a kind and thoughtful person and I have many good memories of him and the Pearson family. My sympathies to all.
Mark Aldax

September 12, 2017

This is from Dave Lake. Posting for him. JP

If ever there was a man on this earth for one to love, it was Bill Pearson without any doubt whatsoever. Just received word from John Bowers that Bill Pearson passed away at home while he slept. He lived in Reno the past several years.

I cannot describe the void in my heart. I hadn’t seen Bill much of late due to my illness and his advancing age that grounded his driving over to Portola from Reno as he had done every day for 30 for more years. The fact of having a true friend is that you can be absent for many years then when you meet up, there was no gap. And so it was with Bill. He always inquired about my son Brian and was happy to hear about everyone and we always hit on a little politics and family issues.

We hunted together way back in the 70s and I marveled at the fact that he drove from Gardnervile every morning back in those days and we would join up about 6 a.m. in Portola and head out. He must have been getting up before 3 a.m. to have made such a trip.
He was my very first customer when I got my license to sell guns in California. The year was 1977.

To my very pleasant surprise when I first met Bill at his equipment yard out behind the buttes at Beckwourth, I found out he had married a very pretty young lady that had been one of our Homecoming Queens for football in Manteca. She was Pauline Bowers. I transferred into Plumas County with the CHP on January 2, 1969 and was shocked to find Dick and Shirley Wiggins, Joe Brooks, Beverly Johns all present in the county and later the addition of Nacemento, Bullard, Bowers et al made it feel like old home week.

Small town folks gravitate to small towns it seems. Anyway, back to Bill. There is no one that will fill his shoes. Bill left a lasting mark here on this earth that will linger for generations to come. He was a man of unlimited energy, vision, family and personal pride and lasting loyalty. He was a man of unimpeachable candor and character. Again, Bill Pearson, I love you and you have left a void here on earth for all of us to enjoy in your absence. You, more than anyone I have known have left a smile here in this place. We pray for comfort and tranquility to rest with Pauline and her children. And dear Lord, we pray for Buster that his sorrow will be short and his heart filled with joy for having had such a brother. The extended Pearson family has lost a patriarch and they too need Gods comforting grace. We humbly pray for all these things. Amen

September 12, 2017

Our most heartfelt prayers to Pauline and their three great kids, Bill, Joel, and Jill. Although Bill was officially my brother-in-law, he was and will always be remembered by me as my brother. A great loss of a great guy. Knowing Bill is in a better place softens the blow of his passing.

September 10, 2017

You're in my thoughts, heart and my prayers. I know how much love you all have for such a wonderful father and husband. With deepest sympathy,
Shawna Sagan