Douglas R. Piercy, 83, of Centralia, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at his daughter’s home. Douglas worked as a Carmen welder at the Illinois Central Railroad for 31 years until his retirement. His family was his purpose in life. Spending any and all free time in their presence with the adventures they shared being limitless. He enjoyed gardening, BBQing, holidays and anything shared with his family. Family to him included not only immediate next of kin, but a vast assortment of “adopted” children, and grandchildren, known to him through his children and the daycare owned by his daughter and son-in-law. He was dubbed dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, pawpaw and many other terms of loving endearment. He loved to cook and share his creations such as ham (bologna) salad and homemade egg noodles with everyone. Douglas will be forever missed. He will always be remembered for his kind smile and love of life. He was a true blessing to all who knew him and an amazing role model.
Per Douglas’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded and no public services will be held. Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, are honored to be of service to the Piercy Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home Facebook Page.
He married the love of his life, Patsy Adams, on March 12, 1960 and she resides at the Centralia Fireside Nursing Home. In addition to his wife of 61 years, Patsy Piercy of Centralia, he is also survived by his three daughters: Deborah Lewis and husband Bill of Centralia, Rebecca Woodward of Centralia, and Rhonda Gray and fiancé Timothy Johnson of Centralia; grandchildren: Corey Foster and wife Mallory of Casey, Kyle Foster and wife Rachel of Centralia, Matthew Mulvin of Centralia, Jeremy Woodward and wife Jessica of Centralia, Justin Woodward and wife Sarah of Effingham, Joseph “JD” Gray of Centralia, and Sierra Gray and fiancé Jonathan Mathis of Centralia; great-grandchildren: Bennett, Brynn and Ayla of Casey, Jace Mathis of Tennessee, and Ezekiel, Matilda, and Eli of Centralia; sisters-in-law: Wanda Rybicki of Ashley, Mary Basola of Sandoval, Pam Adams of Florida, Marcia Piercy of California and Thelma Houston and husband Tom of Patoka; and several nieces and nephews.
He was born July 30, 1938, in Richview, the son of Homer Piercy and Beulah (Kemp) Piercy. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter: Kimberly Green, and a granddaughter: Deborah Jane “DJ” Piercy and his siblings: Alva Piercy, Norman Dean Piercy, Charles Piercy, and Wanda Knox.
