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Saturday, January 2, 1999 (Billings Gazette)
Bill and Jan Pierce
Bill and Jan's life journey together started on a seventh grade hayride. They both grew up in Billings and graduated from Billings Senior in 1967. They both graduated from EMC. They were married Aug. 22, 1970, in Billings.
Jan taught school in Billings for several years. Bill worked in the family business, managing Pierce Mobile Homes and RVs.
Their lives were devoted to their three daughters, Kristin (Thad) Larson, Katie and Rebecca Pierce, and grandson, Beau Larson, all of Billings.
``Good parents give their children roots and wings. Roots to know where home is and wings to fly away and exercise what has been taught them.''
They were the best parents in the world.
In addition to their family, Bill and Jan loved their friends, dogs, traveling and life in general. Bill enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. Bill is best remembered for his wonderful sense of humor. Jan enjoyed shopping, reading, aerobics and cross-stitching. Jan is best remembered for making her home a home filled with love.
Bill was a member of the Billings Rotary Club, past president of Billings Aquatic Club, and past president of Montana Mobile Home Dealers Association. Jan was a past member of Junior Women's Club.
Surviving Bill is his mother, Dorothy Pierce, and brother, Ron (Linda) Pierce, and sons, Russell and Jake of Billings; and his sister, Sandra (Charlie) Robinson and children, Chuck and Cynthia of Houston, Texas, and Melissa (Marshall) Branch of Port Angeles, Wash.
Surviving Jan is her mother, Florence Richardson, and her sister, Claudia (Jack) Bayne and children, Melissa Bayne and Mark (Kara) Bayne.
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Dona Schlenker (Cranston)
Jan and Bill were very close friends to a man I worked with for years. So I always stayed up with what Bill was up to over the years. Even though my kids were so much younger than Bill and Jan's girls, I felt like I knew them through Tim and Gail. I remember the day that I heard about the fire and their death - It just felt like a piece of Billings died that day. They were always such a presence here. I always thought it was so cool that they had a high school romance that turned into a forever marriage.
Linda Krug (Gerdes)
Yes, Dona you said it all. I knew Jan and Bill quite well. This definitely was a story book romance. What a wonderful couple and their daughters. I felt allot like you Dona a part of Billings died when Bill & Jan left our city. I am sure they will be looking down from Heaven on our 50th class reunion. I am sure we will all feel their love from them during this time. With fond memories!
Bruce Litwin
I first met Jan sophomore year at BSHS. Jan was a great friend. I double dated with her and Bill on numerous occasions. Saw them many times over the years after she and Bill got married. Jan was the consummate Mom and wife. I always enjoyed her warm and welcoming way and her love for her kids. We were all shocked at her tragic death. We lost a great friend and a pillar of the community when she passed. I miss Jan.
Susan Hexem (Griffing)
Jan and Bill were so special to me. We reconnected with them every time we came to Billings to visit, and have such great memories with great family time. They were in Minnesota a lot, and we loved having them visit. We spent time with them at their beautiful cabin in Red Lodge...hiking, shoppping, eating Bill's great barbeque! It absolutely broke my heart to hear of their tragic deaths. I miss them both so much.