J.W. Pierce, 88, of Dyersburg, TN passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at Methodist North Hospital in Memphis, TN.

He was born on December 19, 1928 in Dyer County, TN to the late George Franklin Pierce and the late Annie Clemn Hendrix Pierce. J.W. was a retired truck driver for L.O. Brayton & Company. He was a member of Calvary Hill Baptist Church and also attended Westside Baptist Church. J.W. served his Country in the U.S. Navy for 10 years and also served in the U.S. Air Force for 10 1/2 years.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Fairview Cemetery with the Rev. Paul Hogue officiating. Dyersburg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Family members and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery.

Survivors include his daughter, Cindy Gilliam of Dyersburg; a brother, Clifton "Teddy" Pierce of Dyersburg; a sister, Lottie G. Brown of Newbern; three grandchildren, Domonic Willis, Nicole Wisdom and Rebecca King; two step-grandchildren, Tommy Gilliam and Billy Gilliam; five great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Ethel Smith Pierce; a son, William Franklin Pierce; three brothers, William Franklin Pierce, Marvin L. Pierce and Mickey Taylor; and two sisters, Lucy Juanita Gordon and Katherine Ann Pierce.

Pallbearers will be Shawn Todd, Domonic Willis, Jackie Goad, Clark Reagan, David Spry and Nick Spry.