Obituary of Bertrand Willis Pierce Jr.

A private committal at sea will be held in Santa Cruz, California for Bertrand Pierce Jr., who passed away in Santa Cruz on January 15, 2012 following a brief illness. Born in Decatur, Illinois, he was 87 years old. Bert was a long time resident of Vista, California. He was a realtor with a career that spanned over 40 years in the Southern California area. While living in La Habra, he was recognized with the Realtor of the Year Award from the Realtors Association. Bert later earned his broker's license and, upon retirement, moved to Santa Cruz 8 years ago to be near his sons. His family will cherish many memories of his adventurous and determined spirit. While living in Decatur as a youth, Bert rode his bicycle from Decatur to Florida. After a stint in the army, he arrived in California, where Bert was one of the early denizens of Muscle Beach in Santa Monica. A graduate of Brush Business College, Bert was a voracious reader of non-fiction and an avid body builder. Reading countless self-help books, he was in tune with his body, rarely visiting the doctor's office. For 17 years he was married to June Pierce, now of Felton, CA. Bert also loved playing Scrabble on the Internet and was a familiar figure at Kianti's on the Pacific Garden Mall on Friday afternoons, where he enjoyed the colorful parade of people passing by. He will be missed by many friends and colleagues in the San Diego and Los Angeles areas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bert Pierce Sr. and Mae Pierce, nee Ross. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Robert Pierce and Susan McWilliams, and their children, Nathan and Julian, of Oakland, CA; his son and daughter-in-law David and Lucy Pierce of Felton, CA; his son Matthew Pierce of Santa Cruz; his niece, Diane Kagan of Palmdale, CA; and his granddaughter Caitlin Norrington of Salem, Oregon.