William Joe "Bill" Pearson

COTTONDALE William Joe “Bill” Pearson, age 75, of Cottondale, passed away Sept. 1, 2012, at home after a lengthy illness. Services will be 11 a.m. today at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ron Martin officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park with Sunset Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing.

Mr. Pearson was born July 20, 1937, in Fayette to the late Claude Sherrill Pearson and the late Virginia Louise Pearson. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Mandy Pearson.

He served in the U.S. Navy and was a member of the VFW Post 6022. He worked at the Central Foundry for a number of years and then went to work at Phifer Wire where he later retired.

He is survived by his children, Janet Gunter of Cottondale, Robin Jarvis (Von) of Fosters, Billy Pearson (Tina) of Tuscaloosa, and Andy Pearson (Jennifer) of Holt; his stepchildren, Connie Smith (Paul) of Holt and Amanda Reed (Jaime Clanton); the mother of his children, Jeanette Pearson (Phillip); his grandchildren, Jamie Fisher (Jennifer), Jeff Jarvis (Angie), Jason Jarvis (Sandy), Drew Vogeler (Megan Smalley), Meredith Pearson, Cayson Pearson, Alana Smith, and Paul Smith Jr.; his sisters, Vivian Gray (Bill), Linda Pearson, and Sandra Pearson; his brother, Terry Pearson; his great-grandchildren, Taylor Fisher, Haleigh Jarvis, Jeffrey Jarvis, Jeslyn Jarvis, Jesslyn and Kyson Richardson, Ava Fisher, and Jackson Clanton; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers will be Jamie Fisher, Jeff Jarvis, Jason Jarvis, Drew Vogeler, William White, and Phillip Lucas.

Honorary pallbearers are the angels sent to us from Amedisys Hospice Care, Cleveland Winn, Lee Harbin, Teresa Davis, Christie Owens, Donna Rach, Michelle Duby, and Pastor Ron; employees of Phifer Wire; and the members of the VFW Post 6022.

“It breaks our heart to let you go but we find comfort in knowing that you suffer no more, but we are taking it one step at a time… just like you told us. We hope you have found that river bank and are reeling in the fish. R.I.P. daddy!”