Willie Carroll Pearson

Willie Carroll Pearson, age 84, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, in New Albany, Indiana. He was born on May 9, 1941, in Franklin, Kentucky, to Mable Ashby (née Kinman) and Willie Ben Pearson.

Willie graduated from New Albany High School in 1960, married his childhood sweetheart, Pearl Marie Onstott, and enlisted in the United States Air Force in January 1961 as a radar technician. He completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, followed by technical training at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi.

After completing his initial training, Willie embarked on a long and eventful military career. He was stationed in Hawaii and the Philippines from the mid-1960s through the mid-1970s, and from those duty stations he served multiple tours of duty in Vietnam. Willie participated in the conflict during the early phase (1965–1966), the middle phase (1968–1970), and the final phase in the early 1970s. He shared many memorable stories from that period with his children and grandchildren—some humorous, such as tales of the legendary “Rock Apes,” the Vietnamese equivalent of Bigfoot, and some harrowing accounts of guerrilla raids and mortar attacks by the Viet Cong.

Following his Pacific assignments, Willie, along with Pearl and their four children, returned stateside—first to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and later to Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Willie completed his final year of military service separated from his family once again, this time stationed in the far reaches of the world in the land of fire and ice: Iceland.

In 1983, Willie retired from the United States Air Force as a Technical Sergeant (E-6) after 22 years of dedicated service. He returned to civilian life in New Albany, Indiana, where he began a 32-year career with SR Wood.

Willie settled comfortably into civilian life with his wife, Pearl, and their son Ben by his side, while his three daughters had already begun lives and families of their own. During this time, Willie formed many lasting friendships with neighbors and coworkers. He was known as a practical man with a no-nonsense personality—stern yet deeply caring. Many likened his presence to the quiet intensity of Clint Eastwood’s “Man with No Name” from the classic spaghetti westerns. Whenever Willie sat down, lit one of his signature filterless Pall Mall cigarettes with his trusty Zippo lighter, and leaned back, you knew a good story or a bit of hard-earned wisdom was about to follow.

Willie loved watching war documentaries and comedy sitcoms and listening to music. A visit to his home almost always meant one of these was playing—whether on the television or streaming music ranging from bluegrass and classic country to 1960s surfer rock.

He also enjoyed gardening and woodworking. Willie crafted many beautiful wooden creations in his home workshop, pieces that now adorn the homes of friends and family alike.

Despite being a member of the Silent Generation, Willie was an early and enthusiastic adopter of new technology. From the Intellivision video game system of the late 1970s, to video cameras in the 1980s, and the home computer and internet revolution of the 1990s, he eagerly embraced each new innovation.

Willie was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Pearl Marie Pearson (née Onstott); his mother, Mable Ashby; and his father, Willie Ben Pearson.

He is survived by his children: Cathy Charbonneau (Pete) of Las Vegas, Nevada; Carol Maples (Tony) of Corydon, Indiana; Cynthia Bashaw (Jeff) of Louisville, Kentucky; and Ben Pearson (Carrie) of Greenville, Indiana; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; his sisters, Donna Smith (Ronald) of Clifford, Indiana, and Sue Carpenter (Carl) of Floyds Knobs, Indiana; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Willie will be remembered for his quiet strength, unwavering dedication to his family, and the stories and wisdom he shared so freely. His legacy lives on through the lives he touched and the memories that will be passed down for generations.

Funeral services will be held at Newcomer Southern Indiana Chapel, located at 3309 Ballard Lane, New Albany, Indiana 47150. Visitation will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and again on Monday, March 16, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with a funeral service on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the chapel.