Title: Memorial services held for former BCE president
Date: April 9, 1998
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
98b-22
INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Memorial services for the Rev. William T. Pearcy, 96, were held April 2 in Tucson, Ariz., and April 4 in Indianapolis.
Pearcy, a longtime leader of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and retired president of the Board of Church Extension, died March 31 in Tucson following a brief illness.
A native of Anderson, Ind., Pearcy joined the staff of BCE in 1932 as assistant treasurer. He served in several positions before becoming executive secretary in 1948 and later being named president.
"Bill Pearcy had a vision for church growth and vitality that never left him even in retirement," said the Rev. James L. Powell, BCE president. "His legacy across the continent is of new and revitalized churches made possible by Bill's deep faith and enthusiastic persistence.
"Over the years, so many of us have been strengthened by Bill's energy and optimistic expectations for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)," Powell added.
Pearcy was a member of First Christian Church, Tucson. In Indianapolis he was a member and leader of Downey Avenue Christian Church.
Pearcy graduated from Shortridge High School in 1918 and Butler University in 1923 where he earned a bachelor's degree. He received a law degree from Indiana University Law School in 1926. In 1957, he received doctor of divinity degrees from Phillips University, Enid, Okla., and Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis.
Prior to joining BCE, Pearcy was employed by Washington Bank and Trust Co. and the Equitable Life Assurance Society in Indianapolis.
Pearcy is survived by his wife, Dottie of Tucson; a daughter, Mary Gilbert of Tustin, Calif.; and a son, James of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Amelia Crim Pearcy in 1988.
Memorial gifts may be made to Disciples Seminary Foundation, Claremont, Calif.; Board of Church Extension, Indianapolis, or First Christian Church, Tucson, Ariz.
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