Wayne P. Pierce

Wayne P. Pierce
Virginia Beach - Wayne P. Pierce, 86, passed away in his sleep on Thu., Nov. 1, 2012. He was born in Grandy, NC, but spent most of his life in the Tidewater, Virginia area. After graduating from South Norfolk High School, he was drafted into the United States Army and served in Western Europe with the 70th Infantry Division which spearheaded the Seventh Army's drive into Germany during WWII. He was an Episcopalian and retired from the American Optical Corporation in 1986 after forty years of service. In addition to his professional career, he spent many years volunteering with various organizations including: the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Shriners, the Masons, the Aragona-Pembroke Little League, the Aragona-Pembroke Recreation League, the Veterans Hospital in Hampton, Va., and Old Donation Episcopal Church.
Mr. Pierce was also past master of the George W. Wright Masonic Lodge and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He served as a Khedive Temple Shriner, a life member of VFW Post 4809, a former commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart no. 136, and a member of the Disabled American Veterans no. 20. His professional associations included memberships in the American Society of Safety Engineers.
Mr. Pierce was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-three years, Margaret Anne Ellis Pierce. He is survived by his three children: a daughter, Anne Lynne Pierce, of Newport News, Virginia, a daughter Debra Leigh Pierce Howell and her husband Stephen Dwight Howell of South Hill, Virginia, and a son, Wayne Scott Pierce and wife Tina Marie Pierce of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He was also blessed with five grandchildren: Andrew D. Howell, Stephanie G. Howell, Matthew W. Pierce, Timothy J. Premo and Amanda M. Premo. Mr. Pierce is also survived by his very dear friend, Lois Elaine Orne.
The family will receive friends at Altmeyer Funeral Home at 5792 Greenwich Road in Virginia Beach on Sun., Nov. 4, 2012 from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The funeral will occur at 2 p.m. on Mon., Nov. 5, 2012 at Old Donation Episcopal Church located at 4449 N. Witchduck Road in Virginia Beach. A graveside service at Rosewood Cemetery in Virginia Beach will follow immediately after the church service. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.altmeyer.com.