Bill was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, on June 22, 1948, to Betty Nuss and Manley Pierce. He was raised by his mother and stepfather,Victor Nuss. Bill graduated from Gering High School in 1966 and later attended college in Kearney, NE. In December 1969, Bill met the love of his life, Jan. The couple married in October 1970 and began their life together in Gering, where their daughter Carissa was born in 1974. A few years later, in 1977, they moved to Moses Lake,Washington, where their son Phillip was born.The family eventually returned to Gering in 1978 when Bill accepted a position at Midwest Farm Service working for Wes Pillstick.

In spring of 1982, Bill was presented with an opportunity to work overseas and moved to Saudi Arabia to sell irrigation equipment. In fall of 1982, Jan and the children joined him there, and the family spent a year living abroad while the children were homeschooled. In 1984, the family returned to the United States, where Bill later purchased Midwest Farm Service. Over the next 40 years, he built a respected irrigation business, helping farmers throughout western Nebraska irrigate their fields with center pivot systems. He retired five years ago after more than four decades in the industry.

Bill was an avid hunter who loved the outdoors, he also enjoyed fishing and spending time in nature. He was known for his generosity and kindness and was the type of person who never spoke a negative word about anyone. Bill always chose to see the good in people. He had many friends and enjoyed traveling and taking trips all over the world. He wasn’t afraid to talk to people and was able to make friends wherever he went.

Bill served on the Scottsbluff Planning Commission for years as well as the Alliance Ditch Board. He was a community member that loved to give back the area in which he lived. He also was a member of Ducks Unlimited and actively participated in fundraising activities for the area.

Bill was preceded in death by his son, Phillip Lee Pierce, in 2021, mother Betty Nuss, father Manley Pierce, stepfather Victor Nuss, paternal grandparents Walter and Opal Schmidt, his maternal in-laws Orville and Delois Garrard. Cousins Dick and Rex Schmidt, several aunts and uncles, sister-in-law Janice Schafer, brother-in-law Ken Garrard and his wife Carol.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Pierce (maiden name Garrard); his daughter, Carissa Pierce; and his granddaughters, Isabelle McNabb and Gabrielle McNabb of California. He is also survived by his sister, Debbie (Nuss) Smith and her husband, Jerry Smith, as well as several close cousins, nieces and nephews.