William Jerome Pierce

William Jerome Pierce was born 4 February 1896 at Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., Minnesota.^{5,6,7,8,9,10,11,4} He married Harriet Hanson Robinson, daughter of Edward Warrington Robinson and Mary Elizabeth Robinson, 13 September 1915 at Los Angeles, California.^12,13,14 He died 21 June 1986 at Costa Mesa, Orange Co., California.⁴ He was buried 25 June 1986 at Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, Los Angeles Co., California.⁴

Bill as he was known, was not what you would call a well-behaved child. He recalled that when he and his brothers visited the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, they took the opportunity to carve their initials in it! Another time around the eighth grade, he locked the school janitor in the closet and was expelled. He never went back. He was in trouble a lot, and frequently lied about his age. Eventually, the lies became the "truth" and his true birth year was "lost" until it came time to apply for Social Security in the 1950's.

At one time, he tried to join a circus. He really wanted to get in to show business, but it was not to be, at least not as a performer. He snooped around Houdini's show at Eliches Garden in Denver, was caught, and tossed out on his ear. He met Harriet while roller skating in Denver, but soon had to leave for the West Coast to look for work. She later followed him where they eloped.

He held several jobs thoughout his career including work in a fish factory, hardwood flooring, at Lake Isabella working on poles and flumes for Southern California Edison Co., and as office manager with Lindy Air Products in Denver and Seattle. He also worked for a dairy, and drove a milk truck down Hollywood Blvd. He had learned painting as an apprentice in Denver and finally latched onto a steady career, that of a painter in the Hollywood studios. He worked on many famous pictures, including My Fair Lady. In one scene some "old" trash cans are tripped over. Actually, they were very new, and bright, shiny metal kept showing up everytime they were banged around, and Bill had to keep repainting them until they got the scene "in the can."

In 1942, he was a painter and resided with wife Harriet at 2728 Harcourt Ave. in Los Angeles.¹⁵

In and around the family, he was always the clown, never failing to try to be the cneter of attention, and never failing to embarass the rest of us either. He was also a capable juggler, and liked to fool his grandkids with easy coin tricks.

He was a jack of all trades, but master of one, his painting. He often did work on the side for friends and family. And although he said he hated it it, his work with wallpaper was outstanding.

He was known throughout the Hollywood studios and L. A. Times columnist, Hedda Hopper noted their 50th wedding Anniversary:

"Bill Pierce has been a painter in the movie business since 1923--his last pictures were "My Fair Lady" and " Ship of Fools." Everybody knows him and likes him. Sunday he and his wife Harriet will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Quite a record in our town."¹³

His daughter Dorothy composed the following that was read at his funeral:

"While going through my father's personal things, a paper was found with the following words written, "When you see a man without a smile, give him one of yours."

We, who are here today, know how much he lived by those words. His only desire was to bring cheeer to anyone that he met. Friends or strangers, it mattered not! It was his way of giving love to others.

May we leave here today, not saddened, but glad for having known him. And in return, give to others the smiles he gave to you."

William and Harriet had two children, both still living.