Funeral Services for William Havis Pearson, Age 84 of Ava, Missouri will be held on Saturday, December 6th, 2025 at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ava, Missouri, beginning at 10:30 AM. Visitation will take place in the hour prior, beginning at 9:30 AM. Burial will be Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at the White Hall Church Cemetery, Louisville, MS conducted by Nowell Massey Funeral Home.
Arrangements are under the direction of The Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, Missouri.
William Havis Pearson (Bill), 84 passed away peacefully on December 1, 2025, at his home in Ava, Missouri, surrounded by loved ones.
He was born April 4, 1941, in Columbus, Mississippi, the son of Havis (Foots) and Edith Inez Pearson. He loved and served Jesus, people, and lived an inspiring life as a cowboy and business man. He attended East Mississippi Community College where he is in the Football Hall of Fame and New Mexico State on a football and rodeo scholarship. He was a bull rider, a steer wrestler, and a roper. He served in the United States Marine Corps and MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command Vietnam). As a Horseman, he was a third generation breeder of Appaloosa horses, selling their horses internationally. He raised and showed many Champions. He owned Southern Star Ranch in Batesville, MS. As a businessman, he worked for Universal Group Holdings (1964-69). He worked at their ranch in Brazil as a foreman, as well as he bought and imported Charolaise bulls from France to sell in the United States. He was with Fidelity Union Life Insurance Co. from 1969-1991. He earned the company’s Rookie Management award. He was the Regional Director of Mississippi and Louisiana. Bill retired in 1997 from Prudential where he was a registered Series 7 representative with NASDQ.
Later in 1997, Bill married Jan Buhl. Together, they raised quarter horses, Corriente cattle and stood 6 stallions at her ranch in Michigan. In 1998 they purchased a ranch in Gainesville MO, continuing the horse and cattle operation and adding a rodeo arena for youth and a handicapped riding program. In 2020 they sold the ranch and retired to Ava.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Robert Neal Pearson. He is survived by his wife Janet and 5 children: Cyndi Peeples of Alcester So. Dakota, Paige Frugone of Fort Mohave, AZ, William Scott Pearson of Biloxi MS, Laralyn Pearson of Brandon, MS and Cass Pearson of Ridgeland, MS. Five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He will be missed by many. We would like to extend a sincere appreciation to Hospice and all of those who helped.
