Mr. William “Wig” Pearson was born to the late George Pearson and Nona Barnes Pearson on July 1, 1940, in Dadeville, Alabama. He departed this life on Saturday April 7, 2007. He was the second of three children. During his early childhood his family moved from Dadeville to Birmingham, while living in Birmingham he accepted Christ at Sardis Baptist Church, after moving to Huntsville he joined First Missionary Baptist Church. He is a product of the Birmingham City School system where he graduated from A. H. Parker High School. He continued his education at Alabama A & M University. He graduated from Alabama A & M in 1978. In 1974 he was united in marriage to the former Selena Pollard. To this union was born two sons, Christopher George and Reginald Dewayne.
“Wig” had a passion for the rights of people. As a freshman at Alabama A & M University he became involved with the Civil Rights movement. He participated in marches and sit-ins at lunch counters and was arrested over twenty-five times, but he didn’t give up the fight.
The second “movement” in which he participated was in the sports arena. He brought slow pitch soft ball to a new level in Huntsville with his pitching skills. After his playing days were over, he became a coach. Much of Coach Wig’s time was spent working with both young men and women to sharpen their basketball and softball skills as well as to develop discipline. He also coached girl’s softball and girls and boys basketball. He was a winner in all of his sports endeavors.
He served in numerous positions but his heart was for children. He coached, mentored, and was a surrogate parent for many young people.
He leaves to cherish his memoirs a loving wife, Selena Pollard Pearson; three sons: William Pearson, Jr. of Atlanta, GA, Staff Sgt. Christopher George Pearson of Hampton, VA and Reginald Dewayne Pearson of Huntsville, AL;four grandchildren; mother, Nona Pearson of Birmingham, AL; one sister, Jo Ann Harris of Birmingham, AL; one brother, George Pearson, Jr. of Birmingham, AL,; “The Brother,” Ronnie Flakes, Sr.; mother-in-law, Dorothy Pollard; five brothers-in-law, R. D. Dexter (Imogene) of Seattle, WA; Steven Pollard of Detroit, MI, Gary Pollard (Carolyn) of Seattle, WA, Stovey Pollard of Detroit, MI, Earnest Perkins of Huntsville, AL; four uncles, Johnnie Pearson of Montgomery, AL, Levert Fitzgerald of Muscle Shoals, AL, John Hampton of Barton, AL and William Appleton of Sheffield, AL; seven aunts, Algie Williams of Columbus, GA, Helen Pearson of Dadeville, AL, Ruth Russell of Dadeville, AL, Ollie Pearson of New York, NY, Sarah Fitzgerald of Muscle Shoals, AL, Sabina Hampton of Barton, AL and Dorothy Appleton of Sheffield, AL; and a host of nieces, nephews and many friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Pearson will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday from the First Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Julius R. Scruggs officiating. Interment will be in Faith Memorial Gardens. The Pearson family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday from the funeral home. The remains of Mr. Pearson will be in the church one hour prior to funeral time.