Perry Wayland Pierce

Perry Wayland (P.W.) Pierce, 98, of Springfield died January 28, 2004, at St. John’s Hospice. He was born August 9, 1905, in Sulphur Springs, Texas, (in Hopkins County, which was named after his great-grandfather) to Joshlin Lafayette and Mary Lucy Pierce. The family later moved to Oklahoma. In 1933, Mr. Pierce arrived in Springfield and entered the oil business; he later co-founded Harper Oil Co. where he served as Chairman until his retirement in 1998. He was also a founding director of the Land of Lincoln Bank. In 1935, Mr. Pierce married Twylah Marie Utterback of Springfield. She preceded him in death on May 5, 2001. Over the years, Mr. Pierce served the Springfield community as a member of the Sangamon County Zoning Commission, Springfield Liquor Commission, Lakeshore Country Club (President), Springfield Noon Lions Club, Elks Club Lodge 158 (life-time member), Sangamo Club, and the Church of the Blessed Sacrament. He was also very active in local and state politics. Survivors: a daughter, Mary K. (husband Ken) Sommer of Springfield; three grandchildren, Christopher (wife Lisa) Sommer of Springfield, Stephanie Sommer (husband Stephen Spencer) of St. Paul, MN, Bruce Sommer of Lee, NH; three great-grandchildren Connor and Austin Sommer, Jonah Spencer; four brothers, Jack L. and Jimmie L. (wife Donna) Pierce, of Springfield, Clyde (wife GiGi) Pierce of Muskogee, OK, and Ray (wife Betty) Pierce of Corpus Christi, Texas; three sisters, Vesta Pierce of Cartersville, GA, and Thelma Cockrill and L. Louise Rowland of Durant, OK; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Pierce was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and three brothers, James Haskell of Oklahoma and Lonnie B. and R. Edgar Pierce of Springfield. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 31, from 8:30am – 10:30am at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center, 900 S. Sixth St. in Springfield. The Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00am at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 1725 S. Walnut in Springfield, by Monsignor Kevin Vann. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be offered to the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 1725 S. Walnut, Springfield, IL 62704 or the Springfield Noon Lions Club, 30 Tophill Lane, Springfield, IL 62704.