FRANK HAMILTON PIERCE, age 87 of Athens, Tenn. passed away Saturday, April 21, 2012, at Athens Regional Medical Center after a brief illness.

He was born in  Bradley County, Tenn., former resident of Chattanooga, Tenn. and   resident  of McMinn County, Tenn. since 1958.  The son of the late Frank H. and Alice Henry Pierce he was preceded in death by Sisters: Helen Pierce Miller, Evelyn Pierce Ray, Brother and Sister-in-law: Robert "Bob" and Betty Pierce and Brother-in-law: George Theodore.

He was a charter member of McMinn County Rescue Squad where he had served as Secretary and Treasurer for 22 years  and was  on the Board of Directors and retired from Heritage Motor Co.; he had been an employee of Elder Chevrolet. He was of the Baptist Faith and served in the U. S. Army National Guard as SGT First Class.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years: Betty Jo Ditmore Pierce of Athens, Tenn., Brother and Sister-in-law:, James C. and Nita Pierce of Chattanooga, Tenn., Sister: Mildred  Theodore of Ooltewah, Tenn.,  Sister-in-law: Jane Ditmore McKinney of Chattanooga, Tenn. Several nieces and nephews.

Funeral  services will be 2:00 P.M. Monday at Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Rev. Greg Bostick officiating.

Interment will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery.  Active pallbearers will be nephews, great nephews, and friends.

The family will recieve friends from 12:00-2:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home.