Ben Peirce Born February 27, 1920 - March 3,2011, “Tex” spent his youth in Del Rio, Texas (Class of 1940). He met his wife, Betty Smith, at a USO dance in Charleston, prior to deployment to Europe. In 1945, at the end of WWII, “Tex” and Betty were married at Citadel Square Baptist Church in Charleston. They had four children; Linda, Ben, Debbie and Dan. During their marriage Ben and Betty enjoyed dancing, playing bridge, and local Mason, Shriner and Pioneer activities in Charleston. As a father, Ben led Boy Scout troops, shared his love of hunting and fishing with his children and spent summers on Sullivan's Island with the entire extended family. Throughout his life he preferred to stay closer to home with his family. He enjoyed trips together through The Carolinas, Florida and occassionally to Texas.
Ben's immediate family includes his wife, Betty Smith Peirce, children Linda Liers, Ben Peirce, Debra Johnson, Dan Peirce, grandchildren Louis Mack, Jennifer Brie Johnson, Ashley Johnson, Alex Peirce, LeVon Peirce, and great-grandchildren Julia and Owen Mack.
Ben Peirce was a man of commitment and strong family values. In demonstration of his devotion to his family he worked tirelessly to provide for them and expected the best of his children and grandchildren.
He passed away March 30 at the Manor Care facility in Sunrise from declining health issues following a fall at home.
Ben, aka “Tex”, was a US Army WWII Veteran, who served in the US and in Europe in various assignments, including glider pilot. Following the end of WWII, “Tex” began working with Bell South as an installer. For most of his career he was an engineer. Following his retirement from Bell South, Ben continued to work as a consultant in this industry until the age of 88 and took great pleasure in mentoring young people entering his field. Ben valued the pursuit of knowledge and his life experiences; including the enjoyment of sharing his life history in conversations with family and friends.
The memorial service for Ben will be held at 4:00pm on Saturday April 2, 2011, at Fred Hunter Funeral Home, 2401 South University Drive, Davie 33324 (954) 527-1550.
The family requests that memorial donations be made in Ben's name to the Shriners Hospital for Children, in Tampa, FL; [email protected] ; (800) 241-4438.