From the Rockford Register Star on March 4, 2010
BILL PEARCE, 83, XENIA, Ohio –
Bill Pearce, a pioneering radio broadcaster and founder of the Nightsounds radio program, died Feb. 23, 2010. Nightsounds board Chairman Richard Dean said Bill died of complications of Parkinson's disease at Legacy Assisted Living Retirement Community in Xenia.
Born May 20, 1926, in Carlisle, Pa., into a religious and musical family. Bill's father, Rowan, was a Methodist minister who had a daily radio program, "Christian Voices," in the Philadelphia area. On this early radio program, Bill's mother, Almeda, played the piano and sang, and Bill and his brother, Rowan Jr., and sister, Jeanne, played in a brass trio. Bill started playing the trombone at 10 years of age. Bill followed in his father's footsteps, both in ministry and service to our country. He enlisted in the Marine Corps just after World War II started. After boot camp and jungle training, Bill expected to serve in the Pacific Theater until he auditioned for Bob Crosby's Marine Corps band. Bill entertained Navy and Marine Corps troops until his discharge.
After the war, he settled in Chicago and attended Moody Bible Institute until he was hired to work at Moody's flagship station, WMBI. In his 25 years, he moved up from his entry-level position to staff announcer, special-events director and finally his duties included vocal and trombone performances on numerous radio programs. Bill's ministry included vocal and trombone recordings with Dick Anthony, The Melody Four Quartet and The 16 Singing Men, plus numerous solo albums of sacred music.
Throughout his years of ministry, Bill was invited to and featured musically at various crusades with the Rev. Billy Graham. In the 1960s while at WMBI, Bill hosted the late-night radio program "Nightwatch." In the '70s, Bill founded Bill Pearce Associates and started syndicating "Nightsounds." Today, "Nightsounds" is broadcast each weeknight on more than 300 radio outlets across the country, Canada and overseas. Because the "Nightsounds" audience spans three generations, the program is structured to remain on the air for many years, reaching thousands each night. Bill's ministry will continue not only with "Nightsounds," but through vocal and instrumental recordings and his published writings.
In 1992, Bill was inducted into the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame in recognition of his many accomplishments in radio broadcasting. Legend has it that the band leader of the "Tonight" show, Doc Severinson, was once asked who was one of the best trombonists he knew. His reply: Bill Pearce.
Bill's family and friends were at his bedside during his final days and hours. Bill is survived by sons Bryan, Glenn and Randy; daughters Marcia Johnson, Laurie Spejcher and Shannon Johnson; 14 grandchildren; brother, Rowan Pearce Jr.; sister-in-law, Jeanne Pearce; and brother-in-law, Paul Hopkins. Bill's dear sister, Jeanne Hopkins, passed away in November 2009. Memorial services will be private, at the convenience of the family.
Send memorial gifts and condolences to Nightsounds, P.O. Box 29, Wheaton, IL 60187; or NeeldFuneralHome.com.
(Courtesy of Dan Southam)
BILL PEARCE, 83, XENIA, Ohio –
Bill Pearce, a pioneering radio broadcaster and founder of the Nightsounds radio program, died Feb. 23, 2010. Nightsounds board Chairman Richard Dean said Bill died of complications of Parkinson's disease at Legacy Assisted Living Retirement Community in Xenia.
Born May 20, 1926, in Carlisle, Pa., into a religious and musical family. Bill's father, Rowan, was a Methodist minister who had a daily radio program, "Christian Voices," in the Philadelphia area. On this early radio program, Bill's mother, Almeda, played the piano and sang, and Bill and his brother, Rowan Jr., and sister, Jeanne, played in a brass trio. Bill started playing the trombone at 10 years of age. Bill followed in his father's footsteps, both in ministry and service to our country. He enlisted in the Marine Corps just after World War II started. After boot camp and jungle training, Bill expected to serve in the Pacific Theater until he auditioned for Bob Crosby's Marine Corps band. Bill entertained Navy and Marine Corps troops until his discharge.
After the war, he settled in Chicago and attended Moody Bible Institute until he was hired to work at Moody's flagship station, WMBI. In his 25 years, he moved up from his entry-level position to staff announcer, special-events director and finally his duties included vocal and trombone performances on numerous radio programs. Bill's ministry included vocal and trombone recordings with Dick Anthony, The Melody Four Quartet and The 16 Singing Men, plus numerous solo albums of sacred music.
Throughout his years of ministry, Bill was invited to and featured musically at various crusades with the Rev. Billy Graham. In the 1960s while at WMBI, Bill hosted the late-night radio program "Nightwatch." In the '70s, Bill founded Bill Pearce Associates and started syndicating "Nightsounds." Today, "Nightsounds" is broadcast each weeknight on more than 300 radio outlets across the country, Canada and overseas. Because the "Nightsounds" audience spans three generations, the program is structured to remain on the air for many years, reaching thousands each night. Bill's ministry will continue not only with "Nightsounds," but through vocal and instrumental recordings and his published writings.
In 1992, Bill was inducted into the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame in recognition of his many accomplishments in radio broadcasting. Legend has it that the band leader of the "Tonight" show, Doc Severinson, was once asked who was one of the best trombonists he knew. His reply: Bill Pearce.
Bill's family and friends were at his bedside during his final days and hours. Bill is survived by sons Bryan, Glenn and Randy; daughters Marcia Johnson, Laurie Spejcher and Shannon Johnson; 14 grandchildren; brother, Rowan Pearce Jr.; sister-in-law, Jeanne Pearce; and brother-in-law, Paul Hopkins. Bill's dear sister, Jeanne Hopkins, passed away in November 2009. Memorial services will be private, at the convenience of the family.
Send memorial gifts and condolences to Nightsounds, P.O. Box 29, Wheaton, IL 60187; or NeeldFuneralHome.com.
(Courtesy of Dan Southam)
From the Rockford Register Star on March 4, 2010
BILL PEARCE, 83, XENIA, Ohio –
Bill Pearce, a pioneering radio broadcaster and founder of the Nightsounds radio program, died Feb. 23, 2010. Nightsounds board Chairman Richard Dean said Bill died of complications of Parkinson's disease at Legacy Assisted Living Retirement Community in Xenia.
Born May 20, 1926, in Carlisle, Pa., into a religious and musical family. Bill's father, Rowan, was a Methodist minister who had a daily radio program, "Christian Voices," in the Philadelphia area. On this early radio program, Bill's mother, Almeda, played the piano and sang, and Bill and his brother, Rowan Jr., and sister, Jeanne, played in a brass trio. Bill started playing the trombone at 10 years of age. Bill followed in his father's footsteps, both in ministry and service to our country. He enlisted in the Marine Corps just after World War II started. After boot camp and jungle training, Bill expected to serve in the Pacific Theater until he auditioned for Bob Crosby's Marine Corps band. Bill entertained Navy and Marine Corps troops until his discharge.
After the war, he settled in Chicago and attended Moody Bible Institute until he was hired to work at Moody's flagship station, WMBI. In his 25 years, he moved up from his entry-level position to staff announcer, special-events director and finally his duties included vocal and trombone performances on numerous radio programs. Bill's ministry included vocal and trombone recordings with Dick Anthony, The Melody Four Quartet and The 16 Singing Men, plus numerous solo albums of sacred music.
Throughout his years of ministry, Bill was invited to and featured musically at various crusades with the Rev. Billy Graham. In the 1960s while at WMBI, Bill hosted the late-night radio program "Nightwatch." In the '70s, Bill founded Bill Pearce Associates and started syndicating "Nightsounds." Today, "Nightsounds" is broadcast each weeknight on more than 300 radio outlets across the country, Canada and overseas. Because the "Nightsounds" audience spans three generations, the program is structured to remain on the air for many years, reaching thousands each night. Bill's ministry will continue not only with "Nightsounds," but through vocal and instrumental recordings and his published writings.
In 1992, Bill was inducted into the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame in recognition of his many accomplishments in radio broadcasting. Legend has it that the band leader of the "Tonight" show, Doc Severinson, was once asked who was one of the best trombonists he knew. His reply: Bill Pearce.
Bill's family and friends were at his bedside during his final days and hours. Bill is survived by sons Bryan, Glenn and Randy; daughters Marcia Johnson, Laurie Spejcher and Shannon Johnson; 14 grandchildren; brother, Rowan Pearce Jr.; sister-in-law, Jeanne Pearce; and brother-in-law, Paul Hopkins. Bill's dear sister, Jeanne Hopkins, passed away in November 2009. Memorial services will be private, at the convenience of the family.
Send memorial gifts and condolences to Nightsounds, P.O. Box 29, Wheaton, IL 60187; or NeeldFuneralHome.com.
(Courtesy of Dan Southam)
BILL PEARCE, 83, XENIA, Ohio –
Bill Pearce, a pioneering radio broadcaster and founder of the Nightsounds radio program, died Feb. 23, 2010. Nightsounds board Chairman Richard Dean said Bill died of complications of Parkinson's disease at Legacy Assisted Living Retirement Community in Xenia.
Born May 20, 1926, in Carlisle, Pa., into a religious and musical family. Bill's father, Rowan, was a Methodist minister who had a daily radio program, "Christian Voices," in the Philadelphia area. On this early radio program, Bill's mother, Almeda, played the piano and sang, and Bill and his brother, Rowan Jr., and sister, Jeanne, played in a brass trio. Bill started playing the trombone at 10 years of age. Bill followed in his father's footsteps, both in ministry and service to our country. He enlisted in the Marine Corps just after World War II started. After boot camp and jungle training, Bill expected to serve in the Pacific Theater until he auditioned for Bob Crosby's Marine Corps band. Bill entertained Navy and Marine Corps troops until his discharge.
After the war, he settled in Chicago and attended Moody Bible Institute until he was hired to work at Moody's flagship station, WMBI. In his 25 years, he moved up from his entry-level position to staff announcer, special-events director and finally his duties included vocal and trombone performances on numerous radio programs. Bill's ministry included vocal and trombone recordings with Dick Anthony, The Melody Four Quartet and The 16 Singing Men, plus numerous solo albums of sacred music.
Throughout his years of ministry, Bill was invited to and featured musically at various crusades with the Rev. Billy Graham. In the 1960s while at WMBI, Bill hosted the late-night radio program "Nightwatch." In the '70s, Bill founded Bill Pearce Associates and started syndicating "Nightsounds." Today, "Nightsounds" is broadcast each weeknight on more than 300 radio outlets across the country, Canada and overseas. Because the "Nightsounds" audience spans three generations, the program is structured to remain on the air for many years, reaching thousands each night. Bill's ministry will continue not only with "Nightsounds," but through vocal and instrumental recordings and his published writings.
In 1992, Bill was inducted into the National Religious Broadcasters Hall of Fame in recognition of his many accomplishments in radio broadcasting. Legend has it that the band leader of the "Tonight" show, Doc Severinson, was once asked who was one of the best trombonists he knew. His reply: Bill Pearce.
Bill's family and friends were at his bedside during his final days and hours. Bill is survived by sons Bryan, Glenn and Randy; daughters Marcia Johnson, Laurie Spejcher and Shannon Johnson; 14 grandchildren; brother, Rowan Pearce Jr.; sister-in-law, Jeanne Pearce; and brother-in-law, Paul Hopkins. Bill's dear sister, Jeanne Hopkins, passed away in November 2009. Memorial services will be private, at the convenience of the family.
Send memorial gifts and condolences to Nightsounds, P.O. Box 29, Wheaton, IL 60187; or NeeldFuneralHome.com.
(Courtesy of Dan Southam)
Inscription
CPL US Marine Corps, World War II
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
