William Pierce Boatner, 77, of Vaughan, passed away Friday, September 26, 2025. He was born in Yazoo County on February 1, 1948 to Otis William Boatner and Annie Louise Pierce Boatner.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 1 from 10am until 11am at Black Jack Baptist Church. Funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. at Black Jack Baptist Church with Rev. Drake Nelson officiating. Burial will follow at Shiloh Cemetery, all under the direction of Stricklin King Funeral Home.
Pierce was a lifelong resident of the Linwood community. He was a graduate of Benton High School and Holmes Junior College, where he obtained a degree in machine shop. After college, he joined the family farming operation and spent most of his life raising row crops and cattle. Later in life, he owned and operated Benton 66, a local convenient store where you got the day’s news with your morning coffee. Pierce wore many hats in his life, but his favorite role was being a husband, father and grandfather. He loved nothing more than spending time with them. Pierce was a dedicated husband to Nanci, his loving wife of 50 years, and a devoted father to his daughter, Christy and son-in-law, Bill. He was a proud, loving grandfather to Kyle. The pair spent many adventurous times together. Kyle could do no wrong in Pierce’s eyes. He was always there for them, whether he was helping them with everyday activities or cheering them on at sporting and horse events.
He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his loving wife, Nanci; his daughter, Christy (Bill); his grandson, Kyle; his brother, Howard Boatner (Cindy Lou); sisters-in-law, Cindy Boatner and Glynda Boatner; along with a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Pierce was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Jimmy D. Boatner and Timothy C. Boatner.
Pallbearers are Brandon Batson, Bo Boatner, Jason Boatner, John Wesley Boatner, Landon Hood, Chris Pierce, Keith Pierce, and Jacob Williamson.
Honorary Pallbearers are Ralph Faulkenberry, Roy Bradfield, Ronnie Hutchinson, David Ketchum, Albert Moore, Danny Pettigrew, Bill Pierce, and Tony Pierce.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to The Friends of Shiloh Cemetery, Inc., 8917 Graball Freerun Rd, Yazoo City, MS 39194 or Black Jack Baptist Church, 1914 Black Jack Rd., Vaughan, MS 39179.
