Obituary
1 LT. Clyde W. Pierce “Sonny”, 82, took the hand of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and went home with Him on January 9, 2024.He was born on June 25, 1941 to Clyde W and Freda Mollie(Bork) Pierce. Sonny was survived by his wife of 41 years, Joyce Pierce, his son, Walt Pierce(Raphine), his sister Diane Watson(David, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Sonny was preceded in death by his son Chad Pierce; his parents Amos and Freda Pierce; his sisters, Katie Hayes, Betty Rose Patton, and Jeannette Rymasz.
He attended Marshall University where he played football for the Thundering Herd. He graduated in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Physical Education. Following his graduation from Marshall University Sonny answered the call to serve in the United States Army as an Airborne Training Officer in Fort Benning, Georgia from 1965 to 1968. He was the Company Commander of Combat Engineers in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1968 to 1970. He received several awards during his time at Fort Benning. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Sonny moved to Daytona Beach, Florida and started work in Cape Canaveral for Boeing AeroSpace. From 1968 to 1973 he was the Personnel Supervisor of the Saturn Moon Program with 1600 employees. In 1974 Sonny became the President and Owner of C.W.P. Enterprises which operated 6 Burger King Restaurants. He owned and operated these restaurants for 28 years and received several honors for superior operations during that time. Sonny also had several other businesses; from 1987 to 1992 he operated Conjil Technologies developing audio speakers, and from 1986 to 1990 he operated Mark Son Construction Company building single family homes. He was the founding director of First State Bank in Deltona, Florida in 1984 and remained there until 1992.
Sonny was a member of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach for 41 years. He held several positions within the Church; Head Usher for 25 years, Sunday School Director, Security, and Finance and Property Committee Chair. He loved attending the Men’s Prayer Breakfast and Monday Night at the Class.
He served Volusia County well. He was on WNDB with Murry Miller. He made comments on the plays Murry called. He was on several committees in Volusia County; YMCA Executive Committee, Board of Directors at Stetson University, Presidential Advisory Committee for Athletes, Stetson Booster Club Executive Committee, Deland Christian Academy Board of Directors, Volusia County Advisory Board for Children, Deland High School Athletic Advisory Board, Rotary Club, Volusia County School Speakers Program, Daytona Beach Police Reserve from 1969 to 1979. He was also a High School Football official for many years.
He received many awards in his lifetime; U.S. Army Reserve Summer Camp Leadership Award, Toast Masters Community Leader Award, Florida Department of Education for Outstanding Contribution to Volusia County Education 1990. Sonny loved to hunt deer and shoot ducks with his sons Walt and Chad as well as his friends Joey and Dallas. He also loved to grow roses and vegetables. He enjoyed golf, and snow skiing. His family and friends will always remember him as a kind, loving and generous person.
A funeral is scheduled for Saturday February 17, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. with a reception to follow at First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach, located at First Baptist Parkway, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Sonny’s life.
His Military Honors internment will be at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 US Hwy 1 Mims FL. On February 23,2024 at 11:00 am.
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