William Edward Pierce

William Edward Pierce (Bill), 73, went to his eternal home on August 29th after a challenging battle with declining health. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 26 years, (Karen), his three daughters (Michelle Pierce of Spartanburg, SC, Laura Pierce of Charlotte, NC, and Kim Seabrook of San Franciso, CA), and his two grandchildren (Hank and Will Lovelace of Spartanburg, SC). Born October 15, 1942 in Van Nuys, California, Bill grew up in Miami, Florida. He attended Emory University undergraduate and Dental School, graduating with his Doctorate in Dental Surgery in 1969. He subsequently served in the Army Dental Corps before opening his dental practice in Charlotte, NC in 1971, where he practiced general dentistry until 2010. Most important to Bill was finding beauty and meaning in everday life. Woodworking and gem stone cutting were two ways he expressed this love. Other ways he expressed his appreciation of beauty, and belief in the beauty of life was through restoring a person's mouth back to health, and creating beautiful gardens wherever he lived. Once he created whole areas of his garden by taking in the throw away plants from a local nursery, believing in their ability to flourish with the right attention and nourishment. His generosity of spirit expressed through this belief in the inherent goodness of others was given out to those around him. His family, the men he mentored, and his patients all enjoyed this kind of attention. It wasn't unusual throughout Bill's dental career to receive calls from his patients when in an emotional crisis because they knew he would direct them and care for them when they knew no one else to turn to for direction. They also knew he would lighten their spirit with his ever present, and at times quirky, sense of humor. One could always count on Bill to have a different perspective on things and, at least try, to make you laugh. In 2004, before he ended his dental career, Bill completed a spiritual direction course through the Episcopal Church, and was spiritual director to many prior to becoming ill. He especially enjoyed blending his spiritual direction training with his church ministries at Christ Episcopal Church. Bill loved his wife, his family, golf, being a spiritual seeker, the outdoors, adventure, expanding his education, and his multitude of friends. Early in his adult life Bill sought help with becoming a man of integrity through his church, and a family tradition of Freemasonry—mastering the 32nd degree. He attributed the Church and Freemasonry to helping him learn how to discern and apply ethics in daily living, and to appreciate the value of striving for quality in all that one does. Bill was passionate about philanthropy for his profession and his community. During his career Bill served as President of the Charlotte Dental Society, was a founding member of the Holiday Dental Conference in Charlotte, anonymously provided pro-bono dentistry to children of Alexander Children's Center, served on the Board of the Charlotte Opera, served Cities-in- Schools, the Rotary Club, and served enthusiastically in his church. There will be a graveside service with Masonic Rites and Military Honors at 11:00 AM Friday, September 2, 2016 at Forest Lawn East Cemetery, 3700 Forest Lawn Drive, Matthews, NC 28104. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 PM Friday in the sanctuary of Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28207. The family will receive friends in the Blue Room of the church for 30 minutes following the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The American Heart Association at www.heart.org ,The National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org/donation, or The Episcopal Relief Fund at episcopalrelief.org. Special thanks and gratitude to Metrolina Nephrology and Mecklenburg Heart Specialists. All the caring staff at Fresenius Kidney Care Baxter Street, and especially Bill's beloved Dr's. Bill Roberts, Dr. Carl Fisher, Jr, and Dr. Allen Wong. Online condolences for the family can be left at www.hankinsandwhittington.com Arrangements are in the care of Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service, 1111 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203.