Elton Lester Pierce, 87, of Southport, passed away Sunday, September 12, 2010, at a local hospital. He was born in Butler County, AL, and had lived in Bay County since 1991. Mr. Pierce retired as an auto mechanic, and was a member of Local # 52, Pipefitters and Steamfitters Union, Montgomery, AL.  He was Baptist by faith, and was an avid fisherman and “inventor”. Mr. Pierce loved fishing, playing the harmonica, and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Velma L. Pierce of Southport; his children, Jackie Bass of Panama City, John Pierce of Southport, Diane Hester of Jones, AL, Deborah Richardson of Panama City; and James Pierce, Sr. (Ramona) of Tibbie, AL; 9 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a long-time friend, Samuel Hester of Jones, AL; his sister, UnaVay Carpenter of Panama City; 2 sisters-in-law, Leddie Dee Pierce and Mildred Pierce, both of McKenzie, AL; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will begin at Noon Wednesday, September 15, 2010, at the Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Russell Ward officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11:00 AM until service time at Noon. Asked to serve as pallbearers are James Pierce, Jr., Lee Flowers, David Flowers, Jeffrey Richardson, Jason Richardson, and Michael Rooker. Honorary bearers will be Brian Hester, and Barry Hester of the USAF serving in Iraq.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.kentforestlawn.com. Kent-Forest Lawn, 2403 Harrison Avenue, 763-4694