Bill Pearce
Bill Pearce, beloved father, coach, mentor, and lifelong educator, passed away on December 26, 2025, leaving behind a legacy defined by service, integrity, and an unwavering belief in young people.
For more than four decades, Bill devoted his life to Texas athletics and education. He served as an active football coach for 33 years, followed by 25 additional years of continued service as an athletic consultant and athletic trainer at Breckenridge High School. Coaching was never just a profession for Bill — it was a calling. He believed deeply in the power of discipline, hard work, and character, and he modeled those values daily for his players, fellow coaches, and students.
Known for his calm presence, steady leadership, and unbiased wisdom, Bill became a trusted mentor to generations of young coaches entering the profession and to head coaches navigating the challenges of leadership. His work ethic, compassion, and high expectations helped revive and sustain athletic programs, most notably at Breckenridge ISD, where his influence kept the Buckaroo Spirit strong and competitive.
Bill’s impact reached far beyond wins and losses. He understood that coaching was about shaping lives, not just athletes. Countless former players and colleagues carry his lessons with them—lessons about accountability, perseverance, humility, and doing things the right way. His contributions to education and the coaching profession touched communities across Texas and reflected the very best ideals of high school athletics.
Above all, Bill was a devoted husband, father, proud grandfather, and family man. He took immense pride in his grandson, Gunnar, and the lives they built, leading by example and encouraging him—and everyone around him — to “go out and attack the day and make it better.” He loved his time outdoors with Gunnar and his many favorite bird dogs who accompanied them on walks and hunts at the deer lease, Sally’s, or the Thompson properties. These two spent countless hours casting, shooting, talking football, baseball, and track, and most importantly thinking up the next adventure. He never grew tired of answering G’s questions and delving into deep conversations about who knows what. These two had the best times of their lives together.
His influence was felt not only on the field and in the classroom, but at home, where his guidance, love, and quiet strength were constants to his family.
Bill was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Texas, where he served as Deputy Grand Master from 1985-86, and of the Scottish Rite Bodies from 1984 to the present. He also served St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in multiple capacities on the church vestry throughout the years. He was a lifetime member of the THSCA, NATA, and SWATA, serving on the THSCA Board of Directors from 1993-1995, and was named the 2003 THSCA Athletic Trainer of the Year.
Bill was born William Casey Pearce on August 19, 1945, in San Saba, Texas. He grew up in Richland Springs, Texas, with his siblings and parents, H.E. Casey and Irene Hopkins Pearce. He graduated valedictorian of his class in 1963 and went on to attend and graduate Summa Cum Laude from Baylor University in 1967. While attending Baylor, he served as a student assistant in the athletic training department. Upon graduation, he chose the education and coaching profession, taking his first coaching position at Ft. Stockton in 1967. While coaching and teaching in Ft. Stockton, he met and married his wife of 56 years, Teeny Pearce. They were married on August 15, 1969, in San Angelo. He finished his time in Ft. Stockton as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach. After leaving Ft. Stockton in 1974, Bill, Teeny, and Casey moved to Austin, taking a position at Austin High School, where he served as a teacher, coach, and AISD lead Athletic Trainer. In 1977, Bill moved his family to Breckenridge, where he became an assistant coach and athletic trainer. Over the next 48 years, Bill served BISD in multiple capacities. Athletic Director and Head Football Coach 1981-1984, assistant coach from 1977-1980 and 1985-2001, high school assistant principal 1988-1991, and 2001-present as the BISD contract athletic trainer and athletic consultant. He was a lifelong educator and took much pride in BISD’s direction and goals.
He was preceded in death by his parents, father, H.E. Casey Pearce, and mother, Irene Hopkins Pearce of Richland Springs; and sister, Marilyn Pearce of Richland Springs.
Bill is survived by his wife, Lilla “Teeny” Pearce; his son Casey and wife Monica, and his grandson Gunnar, all of Breckenridge; sister, Patty Ratliff and husband Mickey of Lubbock; nieces, Bonnie Shahan and Joli Gray; brother, Frank Pearce and wife Cydney of Richland Springs; niece Paige Moats; and brother, Raymond “Cubby” Pearce and wife Teresa of Richland Springs; nephew, Jacody Sealy.
To those who knew him, Bill Pearce will be remembered as a man of principle, service, and heart — a coach and teacher who cared deeply, a mentor who gave freely, and a father whose legacy lives on through the many lives he shaped. His impact will be felt for generations, and the Spirit of the Buckaroo will live through his legacy of expectations of service, pride, and toughness.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 30, at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Breckenridge, followed by burial in the Richland Springs Cemetery. The visitation will be held on Monday, December 29, at 6 p.m. at Morehart Mortuary in Breckenridge. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Andrew’s Anglican Church and Buckaroo All-Sports Booster Club, honoring Bill’s lifelong commitment to his church, education, and athletics.
