William "Bill" Harris Pearigen, Jr.'s Obituary
William “Bill” Harris Pearigen, Jr., 90, passed away Sunday, October 29, 2017. Born on March 31, 1927 in Memphis, Tennessee, to the Rev. and Mrs. William H. Pearigen, Bill grew up in the small towns of west Tennessee and Kentucky where his father served as a minister in the Methodist church and his mother taught elementary school. He graduated from Camden High School in 1945 and immediately volunteered to serve his country in the United States Navy.Following his military service, Bill attended Lambeth College before enrolling in The School of Pharmacy at the University of Tennessee, Memphis, graduating in 1951. While in pharmacy school, Bill met the love of his life, Betty Ruth Rhodes, a nursing student, whom he married in 1951. Together they would raise four sons in a home that was a favorite gathering place for the life-long friendships forged by both Bill and Betty and their children.Bill began his career as a pharmacist in Memphis in 1951. He and his partner, Albert Crook, owned and operated Rexall Standard Drugs Co. on Park Avenue until 1974, before moving their business to Southaven, Mississippi. There they were joined in 1976 by another partner, Doug Gardner, who became Bill’s “fifth son.” Bill worked until his retirement in 2004 at age 78. Throughout his 53 years as a pharmacist, Bill’s drug stores were always known as a warm and trusting gathering place for customers and community members, offering the highest quality of service and care by “Mr. P” and his associates.After his retirement, Bill remained active—tending his garden and home, playing golf, reading, and solving the daily crossword and Sudoku puzzles in the newspaper. He and Betty were avid fans of the University of Memphis’ athletics program and were season-ticket holders for Tigers football for 58 years. They were members of the University’s Highland One Hundred Club and supporters of the University of Memphis Scholarship Fund. They were also devoted supporters of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Christian Health Center, and Colonial Park United Methodist Church, where Bill was a respected leader and Sunday School teacher until his final days.Bill’s greatest pleasure came from being with Betty, his wife of sixty-six years, and their sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. As a husband, father, and grandfather, Bill’s love was unconditional and the joy he gave to and received from his family immeasurable. Known as a person of highest character, uncommon wisdom, and deep humility, all who knew Bill were touched by his kindness, faith, and devotion to others. He was, simply, the embodiment of the “Fruits of the Spirit” from Galatians 5:22, “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”Bill was preceded in death by his parents William and Jessie Pearigen and a sister, Carolyn Pearigen Robinson. He is survived by his wife, Betty; sisters Bernice Pearigen Weiss and Patricia Pearigen McCollum; sons William “Hart” Harris Pearigen, III (Cindy), Dr. Robert Wesley Pearigen (Phoebe), Philip Barton Pearigen, CPA (Stephanie), and Rear Admiral Paul Daniel Pearigen, USN (Kim); grandchildren William Austin Pearigen, Jessica Marie Pearigen, Carolyn Grace Pearigen, Robert Wesley Pearigen, Jr., and Aidan Rhodes Pearigen; step-grandchildren Ryan Weakley (Christine), Meghan Weakley Pace, and Kelly Weakley; great-grandchild Harper Weakley; and many nieces and nephews.Visitation will be Wednesday, November 1, from 10:00 a.m. until noon at Colonial Park United Methodist Church, with a memorial service following at noon. Following the service, a graveside burial will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery. Bill’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Colonial Park United Methodist Church, 5330 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38119, or a charity of your choice.Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”.
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