Bobby Austin "Bob" Pierceall

1931 - 2026

Bobby "Bob" Austin Pierceall passed away peacefully on January 7th, 2026 surrounded by loving family and caring staff at Harmony Gardens Assisted Living, Warrensburg, Missouri. Born at home on October 5th, 1931 in Monroe County, Missouri, he was the son of John Herman Pierceall and Minnie Alice [Boyles] Pierceall. Bob lived his life defined by hard work, integrity, and deep devotion to his family. Early in his childhood his family moved twelve times as his father searched for work, many times allowing Bob to only attend a few weeks of school at each location. If asked, Bob would say he did not really start his education until he began at Mexico, Missouri High School. He therefore spent most of those years playing catch up educationally, graduating in 1949. It wasn't until he was in flight school at San Marcos, Texas that he developed a real interest in learning, completing an intense program with a nearly 50% attrition rate. Bob continued this interest in education and received a bachelor's degree from Columbia College followed by a Master of Science degree from Central Missouri State University, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. His very first job was helping his father shear sheep, and then he went on to work for the Missouri State Highway Department as an Engineer Inspector on highway construction. Bob was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army National Guard. He graduated from Army Flight Training in June, 1954 and had continuous Army Aviation Flight Service for over 32 years. He qualified in both rotary wing and fixed wing aircraft and accumulated over 6,500 flying hours. Bob graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College in December, 1971. He then became a civil service employee for 26 years as the Aviation Support Facility Commander at Whiteman Air Force Base, servicing as many as 33 aircraft and training as many as 60 Army Aviators. His unit operated in both attack and transport capacities, utilizing AH-1 Cobras, OH-58 Kiowas, and UH-1 helicopters. He served two tours in the Pentagon at the National Guard Bureau in 1966 and 1967. In his military assignment he commanded the 635th Aviation Company in Warrensburg and the 142nd Transportation Battalion in Springfield, MO., plus several staff positions at State Headquarters in Jefferson City, MO. After retiring from the Aviation Support Facility in 1986, Bob partnered with Vernon Elsberry and created Appraisal Associates of Warrensburg, providing real estate appraisal services for the area. After eighteen years he retired again in 2004. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Bob's heart belonged to his family. He married the love of his life, Ola Mae Heizer, September 12, 1954. They met while both worked for the AP Green Foundry in Mexico, MO. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2024. Ola preceded him in death last year. Bob's military career took the family around the country, including Washington DC at Andrews Air Force Base, and bases in Oklahoma and Texas before settling in Warrensburg in August, 1961. He is survived by three children, Robin [Dr. C. Daniel Smith] of St. Joseph, MO, Janice [Rick Hudson] of Warrensburg, and Bruce [Michelle] Pierceall of Overland Park Kansas, as well as his eight grandchildren, Diane [Erick Law], Susan [Austin Grant], Cathy [Rory Ballard], Dr. J. Michael [Kailee] Smith, T. Nicholas [Emily] Smith, Ben Pierceall, Brandon Pierceall, and Katie Pierceall. He is also survived by 11 great grandchildren, Emmett Law, Isaac Law, Eli Grant, Mallory Grant, Neriah Ballard, Della Ballard, Harrison Smith, Thomas Smith, Henry Smith, Teddy Smith, and Tucker Smith. Bob and Ola have been members of the First Baptist Church since arriving in the community. He was a former member and past president of the Warrensburg Lions Club, a past president of the Warrensburg Chapter of AARP, a past president of the Warrensburg Chapter of NARFE [National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees], a member of the American Legion and member of and past president of SAR [Sons of the American Revolution]. He was a former member of the Warrensburg Planning and Zoning Commission and the Warrensburg Tree Board. Bob is survived by his sister, Elsie Carolyn [Pierceall] Williams of St Louis, MO, and predeceased by brothers Billy Lawrence Pierceall and Jimmy Lee Pierceall as well as a sister, Betty Lou [Pierceall] Rogers. Funeral services will be held at 10:00am on January 30th at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home. A private interment will follow at 12:00pm in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville. Memorial contributions are suggested to The Missouri Society Sons of the American Revolution. Donations will be used to further the Society's commitments to patriotism, history and education.