William Charles Pearson

William "Bill" Pearson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and servant of Jesus, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2026, at the age of 79.

Bill was born on September 18, 1946, in Lemmon, South Dakota, where he was raised on a farm. From an early age, Bill learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and taking care of what had been entrusted to him. By the age of eight, he was already driving, and those early years on the farm helped shape the mechanical mind and capable hands that would serve him throughout his life.

Bill worked a variety of jobs over the years, including working for the State of Nebraska, Union College and Royal Linens. But his favorite career was as an over-the-road truck driver, a profession that allowed him to see much of the country and suited his independent and hardworking nature. He retired from trucking in 2013.

In 1969, Bill married Nita, the love of his life. Together they built a family and were blessed with four daughters: Billie Jean, Tina, Laura, and Megan. Bill was a quiet man, but those who knew him best knew just how deeply he loved his family. He was a kindhearted father who would do anything for his daughters and the people he loved. His family was one of his greatest treasures.

Bill had a gentle way of making friends. He wasn't always the loudest person in the room, but he had a genuine interest in people and enjoyed getting to know them. Whether someone was a lifelong friend or someone he had just met, Bill was willing to lend a hand. If someone needed help, Bill was often there before they even had to ask.

But perhaps the greatest passion of Bill's life was his love for Jesus.

Bill was a devoted Seventh-day Adventist Christian and faithfully served both his church family in Lincoln, Nebraska, and later his church family in Apison, Tennessee. His faith was not simply something he believed-it was something he lived. Even during the final months of his life, Bill continued to share his faith and talk about Jesus with nurses and hospital staff who cared for him.

Bill also had a special love for young people. For nearly 50 years, he served in the Pathfinder ministry, investing his time, energy, wisdom, and heart into generations of young people and helping lead them toward Jesus.

Pathfinders became a very special part of Bill's life. Beginning in 1984, he attended every Pathfinder International Camporee held during the next four decades. With Camporees occurring only once every five years, that was no small accomplishment. Bill became one of the very few people to attend every International Pathfinder Camporee from 1984 onward. More than simply attending, he was part of a ministry that gave him countless friendships, memories, adventures, and opportunities to influence young lives for Christ.

After Nita passed away, Bill found comfort and joy in spending time with his family. He traveled frequently, making trips back to the Dakotas to visit his brother, aunts, cousins, and other family members. He also enjoyed traveling to North Carolina and Virginia to visit his grandchildren and to Nebraska to visit his daughter, family and friends. These visits gave Bill something he treasured deeply-time with the people he loved.

Bill knew how to enjoy the simple things in life. He loved telling a good joke or sharing a story. He enjoyed Gaither music, Cracker Barrel, playing Rook with family and friends, and Christmas. And those who knew Bill probably have a story or two of their own about the jokes, conversations, games, meals, and memories they shared with him.

Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Nita, with whom he shared 57 years of marriage.

He leaves behind his brother, Rick Pearson of Lemmon, South Dakota, and his four daughters: Billie Jean (Kevin) Massey, Tina (Angel) Segarra, Laura Pearson, and Megan (Tony) Swink. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Tyler (Christiana), Jaden (Kayla), James, Ben, Abby, and John, along with extended family and countless friends and young people whose lives were touched by his kindness, service, humor, and faith.

Bill's life was not defined by wealth or fame, but by faithfulness. He worked hard. He loved his family. He served his church. He invested nearly half a century in young people. He helped people whenever he could. He made friends wherever he went. And through it all, he kept pointing people toward Jesus.

Those who knew Bill will miss his quiet smile, his stories and jokes, his willingness to help, and the simple presence of a man who could always be counted on.

But perhaps the greatest part of Bill's story is that his faith gave him a hope beyond this life. He spent decades helping young people learn about Jesus, and he carried that faith with him until the very end.

His family and friends will miss him deeply, but they do not say goodbye without hope. They look forward to the day when Jesus returns, death is no more, and Bill and Nita will be reunited.

Until that day, his memory will live on in the family he loved, the friends he made, the young people he mentored, and the many lives he quietly touched along the way.

Rest well, Bill. Your work here is finished. Your faith has been kept. And the love you gave will continue through the generations.