He attended all eight grades in
Before leaving for the United States Army in 1942, he lived with wonderful friends, Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. Ruiter at
On January 8, 1944 he married his long-time sweetheart, Lucia Johnson, at South Congregational Church in St. Johnsbury. In January 1944, he went to Infantry Training at
Corporal Pearl, throughout the campaign, was advanced in grade three times to Sergeant, to Staff Sergeant and to Technical Sergeant in charge of a Platoon. Throughout the campaign the men were on foot all the time. He was very fortunate to have survived and been one of the few in his rifle company who was able to be there every day. The end of the War came while he was on Mindanao and his outfit was sent to the Japanese Naval Base at
His first two years at home he worked for Mr. Simon Atwood at
He was a life-long member of the North Congregational Church, joining under the leadership of the Rev. George Avery Neeld, who he greatly admired. While Chairman of the church Business Committee, he was responsible for spearheading the installation of the sprinkler system and later was Chairman of the North Congregational Church Tower Fund Drive to restore the church tower with the help of his friend, George Crosby, who was the Treasurer. At the time of William Pearl’s death, he was Deacon Emeritus of North Congregational Church.
He served on the Board of St. Johnsbury’s Zoning Adjustment for a number of years.
He and his family enjoyed canoeing, swimming and row boating on Joes Pond where they purchased the small island in 1955. The family has enjoyed their farm in the Town of
William is survived by his beloved wife, Lucia, of 66 years, his two daughters, Peggy Pearl of East Ryegate, and Elizabeth Sargent and her husband, Robert, of Danville, his daughter-in-law Sheri Sargent Pearl, five grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and a sister-in-law, Alice Johnson Blair of Danville, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sons, Thomas died in 1982 and John in 2009 as well as a sister, Margaret Pearl Ide in 2008.
A memorial service will be held at the North Congregational Church on Saturday, May 1, at 3:30 PM.
Donations may be made to The St. Johnsbury History & Heritage Center, c/o Reg Wakeham,
Sayles Funeral Home assisted the family.
Submitted by:
Elizabeth A. (
802-748-1456
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