Willard H. Pearsall Jr. of Bridgehampton and Jacksonville, Florida, died on April 6 in Jacksonville. He was 85.
Born in Brooklyn to Marilla (née Pratt) and Willard H. Pearsall Sr., he graduated from Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, and later, Williams College and Harvard Business School, both in Massachusetts.
His years at Williams were interrupted by World War II, and he served three years in the Army Air Force Weather Service in the Pacific arena.
In 1953, he began a 45-year career with Florida Machine and Foundry Co., a Jacksonville-based steel foundry, as chief accountant, later becoming chairman and chief executive officer. He participated in the formation of the State Bank of Arlington in Jacksonville, which became a subsidiary of SunTrust Banks, and served as a director of the bank and eventually as a director emeritus of SunTrust North Florida, for a combined 39 years.
A member of Financial Executives International for 40 years, he served a term as president of the Northern Florida Chapter, and was a past president of the Harvard Club of Jacksonville.
He was an aficionado of jazz music and a lifelong, passionate Dodgers fan, survivors said last week. They added that throughout his life he treasured the summers spent with family and friends in Bridgehampton.
In addition to his wife of 61 years, Paula Pearsall, he is survived by two daughters, Marilla Pearsall and Katharine Pearsall and her husband John-Fiske Smith; a son, Willard Pearsall; a brother, Otis Pearsall and his wife Nancy; a nephew, Lt. Col. Gilbert Pearsall; a niece, Melissa Pearsall Hirsch; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Gilbert H. Pearsall Sr.
The family held a private graveside service on April 15 at the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Mayo Clinic Florida, Neurology Research, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32224 would be appreciated by the family.
on Apr 29, 2009