William Watson Pearce

William “Bill” Watson Pearce passed gently on Friday, April 24, 2026, at age 98 with beloved family and staff nearby.

Born on December 27, 1927, in Toronto, to Harry and Muriel Pearce, Bill married his high school sweetheart Lilian Trevor (predeceased) in 1949.

In Toronto Bill worked as an editor for Mechanical Contractors Association, as well as a musician playing the clarinet and saxophone most notably for The Red Heron Jazz Orchestra. After moving to Ottawa in 1968 he worked for Statistics Canada as an editor of the Daily and Weekly publications. He played clarinet, alto, tenor, and baritone sax locally, and was arranger and leader for the Grey Jazz Big Band, The National Press, and Allied Workers Jazz Band Inc.

Bill will be greatly missed by his children, Trevor Pearce (Christy Harris), and Catharine Bueno; grandchildren, Matthew Bueno (Robyn Mulvena), Jen Skanes (Andre Skanes), Benjamin Bueno (Margaret McClure), Alison Pearce, and Amy Pearce, and his great-grandchild Pearce McClure.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Robertson House for their compassionate care and dedication.

A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held at Tubman Funeral Home Garden Chapel, 3440 Richmond Road, on Sunday, May 24, 2026, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm with shared memories and music. Please join the family for Words of Remembrance at 2:30pm.