Deacon John Arthur Pierce Jr., 91, affectionately known as ‘Arthur,’ was born May 24, 1926, in James City County, Va., to the late John A. Pierce Sr. and Ruth Crew Pierce. He departed this life Wednesday, June 14, 2017, at Williamsburg Sentara Regional Medical Center.
Deacon Pierce attended Centerville Elementary School and Bruton Heights School in Williamsburg, Va. He entered the Armed Forces at age 19 and served in World War II from Jan. 14, 1946, until he was honorably discharged April 18, 1947.
He married Hazel Lee Carter in 1950. Unto this union, they were blessed with one daughter, Alzen P. White. He was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in James City County for many years. He was elected to the Trustee Board in 1977 and served as chairman in 1983. In 1995, he was ordained as a deacon and served as chairman of the Deacon Board from 2007 to 2008. As a trustee and deacon, he served as support to his leader and as a fellow servant to the congregation.
He was employed at the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, where he completed a course in basic electricity, blueprint reading and fundamentals of supervision. He retired in 1982 after 32 years of service as a guided missile inspector.
Deacon Pierce received a plaque in 1988 honoring him as a life member of the NAACP. He worked as an officer on election days and also with the Community Action Agency.
Deacon Pierce was a dedicated member of the MACEO Consolidated Lodge #124, Queen of Sheba/Malachai #15, Mt. Carmel Commandery #10, J.W. Kirby Consistory #40, Zem Temple #122, Jeremiah Varner Shrine Club, Knights of Pythagaros, Commanders of the Rite, ASSR Club #33, Past Grand High Priest (honorary) KCGC of VA, Pride of Grove #181 OES, and Zerah Court #5 HOJ of VA. He had held the highest offices and was also a 33rd Degree Mason, PHA, that entitled him to the right of being Potentate. On April 25, 2016, he received recognition from MACEO Consolidated Lodge #124 for 50 Years of Service.
He was preceded in death by his siblings, Roger Pierce and Lucille Whitby.
His memories will remain with his devoted and loving wife of 67 years, Hazel C. Pierce; daughter, Alzen P. White (Woodrow); grandchildren, LaVonne Harston and Johnnell Washington; great-grandchildren, Krystian and JaVon Harston and Cameron Washington; brother, Elijah Pierce (Paulette); sisters-in-law, Louada Pierce and Martha Lomax; and many other relatives and friends.
Mr. Pierce may be viewed from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, at Whiting’s Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service will be held at noon, Wednesday, June 21, at Shiloh Baptist Church, Williamsburg. Interment with military honors will follow in the church cemetery. Family and friends will assemble by 11 a.m. Wednesday at 8245 Croaker Road.
Share online condolences with the family at whitingsfuneralhome.com.
