Walter Lamar Pierce, Sr., age 90, of Donalsonville passed away Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at Seminole Manor Nursing Home following a lengthy illness.

Graveside services were held in the City Cemetery in Colquitt on Saturday, May 8, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Kirk Loyless of Friendship United Methodist Church of Donalsonville and Rev. Charles Norris officiating.

Mr. Pierce was born September 6, 1919, in Colquitt. He was the son of the late Joe and Nellie Pierce. Mr. Pierce served his country in three branches of the military: the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard. He then began a career in education, being hired by the Atlanta Public School System as the first director of the Aviation Mechanics Program at Atlanta Area Technical School. After only two years, the program was considered the second best aviation mechanics program in the U.S. He was later promoted to coordinator of trades.

Mr. Pierce had the distinction of being selected as draftee #1 from the state of Georgia in 1939. The United States was preparing for the possible involvement in WWII which seemed inevitable. The draft was reinstated that year, and young men from around the country were sworn in. After his discharge from the Army, he was in route back to Colquitt when it was announced that Pearl Harbor had been attacked. He immediately enlisted in the Navy and served throughout the war. After his discharge from the Navy, Mr. Pierce enlisted in the US Coast Guard where he served until his retirement from active duty in 1965. It was during his service in the Coast Guard that he was recognized by the King of England for assisting in the rescue of a British seaman from the H.M.S. Silver Sandal who had been seriously injured. The rescue was quite dangerous, and after its successful completion, the crew members were awarded solid silver cigarette cases inscribed with a message regarding the gratitude of the king.

Mr. Pierce was preceded in death by his wife and childhood sweetheart, Jeanette Sheffield Pierce who passed in 1995.

Mr. Pierce is survived by one son, Walter L. Pierce Jr., and his wife, Renea, of Donalsonville; one granddaughter, Lauren Thomas, and her husband, Curt, of Savannah; one grandson, Lt. Scott Pierce, and his wife, Kim, of Charleston, SC; and one great-granddaughter, Abby Thomas of Savannah; one sister, Myra Morrison of Jonesboro; sister-in-law, Kathleen Cook and brother-in-law, Herman “Spooky” Sheffield, both of Colquitt; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Colquitt Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.