GAWDA extends its condolences to the friends and family of Ron Pierce, who passed away on Thursday, March 18, at the age of 87. Ron was a former president of AWS and served as Chairman Emeritus of the AWS Foundation. His obituary can be read in full below:
Ronald Carter Pierce, 87, a resident of Daphne suddenly passed away on Thursday, March 18, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Joyce A. Pierce of Daphne, AL; four children, Jeffery (Rhonda) Pierce of Pensacola, FL, Judy (Bill) Miller of Gulf Breeze, FL, Gregory (Sabrina) Pierce of Daphne, AL, Jenny (Chris) McCall of Loxley, AL.; ten grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; Joyce (Peter) Wyatt, and other nephews and nieces. Ron served as an officer in the US Army. Following his service to our country, he went on to earn a B.S in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and became a Professional Engineer. He worked for Lincoln Electric for 11 years as a Welding Engineer until 1966 when he began working for WESCO as a Sales Engineer. In 1974, he purchased WESCO and transformed it into the successful company it is today. Ron dedicated his professional career to the Welding Industry. He has been a sustaining member of AWS (American Welding Society) for more than 60 years. He served as President in 1998 and is currently the Chairman Emeritus of the AWS foundation. Ron was an avid golfer who enjoyed playing weekly with friends and was known to throw a club or two if he missed an easy shot. He had innumerable successes and accolades in life, but his greatest pride and joy was always his family. Due to Covid restrictions, an intimate memorial service to honor Ronald will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Daphne on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 1:00pm for family and close friends. All are welcome to attend a Celebration of Life following the ceremony from 2:00pm-4:00pm at Fairhope Yacht Club, Fairhope, AL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Ronald C. & Joyce Pierce Mobile Section Scholarship Fund at the AWS Foundation. Donations may be made online at http://www.aws.org/donate or mailed to the American Welding Society (issue check to: AWS Foundation) AWS, Attn: Ron Pierce Scholarship Fund, 8669 NW 36th Street, Suite #130, Miami, FL 33166.
