William ‘Bill’ Pearson, 84
A memorial service for William “Bill” Havis Pearson, 84, of Ava, was held Dec. 6, 2025. Burial was at the White Hall Church Cemetery in Louisville, Mississippi.
He died Dec. 1, at his home in Ava, surrounded by loved ones.
He was born April 4, 1941, in Columbus, Mississippi, the son of Havis (Foots) and Edith Inez Pearson. He loved and served Jesus, people and lived an inspiring life as a cowboy and business man. He attended East Mississippi Community College where he is in the Football Hall of Fame and New Mexico State on a football and rodeo scholarship. He was a bull rider, a steer wrestler and a roper. He served in the United States Marine Corps and MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command Vietnam). As a horseman, he was a third generation breeder of Appaloosa horses, selling their horses internationally. He raised and showed many champions. He owned Southern Star Ranch in Batesville, Mississippi. As a businessman, he worked for Universal Group Holdings (1964-69). He worked at their ranch in Brazil as a foreman, as well as he bought and imported Charolaise bulls from France to sell in the United States. He was with Fidelity Union Life Insurance Co. from 1969-1991. He earned the company's rookie management award. He was the Regional Director of Mississippi and Louisiana. Bill retired in 1997 from Prudential where he was a registered Series 7 representative with NASDQ.
Later in 1997, Bill married Jan Buhl. Together, they raised quarter horses, Corriente cattle and stood six stallions at her ranch in Michigan. In 1998, they purchased a ranch in Gainesville, continuing the horse and cattle operation and adding a rodeo arena for youth and a handicapped riding program. In 2020, they sold the ranch and retired to Ava.
He will be missed by many. His family extended a sincere appreciation to Hospice and all of those who helped.
He is survived by his wife, Janet; five children: Cyndi Peeples of Alcester, South Dakota, Paige Frugone of Fort Mohave, Arizona, William Scott Pearson of Biloxi, Mississippi, Laralyn Pearson of Brandon, Mississippi, and Cass Pearson of Ridgeland, Mississippi; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Robert Neal Pearson.
Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com. Services conducted by the Nowell Massey Funeral Home.