Pearce, Austin E.Austin E. Pearce, 91, of St. Simons Island, Georgia died Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at Hospice of the Golden Isles. Mr. Pearce was born on December 13, 1925 in Wilcox County, Georgia. He served honorably during World War II, was a member of Frederica Baptist Church and a member of Ocean Lodge #214 F. & A.M., Brunswick Lodge #717 F. & A.M., Brunswick York Rites, and the Savannah Rites. Mr. Pearce was a craftsman at heart with a love for wood. He handcrafted hundreds of gavels for family and friends and deemed himself The Gavel Man, crafting gavels to sell for the benefit of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. Mr. Pearce was a good and kind and gentle man who loved his God, his family and friends, and his country. He will be greatly missed. Mr. Pearce is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ida; his daughter, Debbie Hodges (Stan) of Johnson City, TN; his son, Kevin (Laura), of St. Simons Island, GA.; four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Mr. Pearce is also survived by sisters, Bonnie Allen, Lehigh Acres, FL. and Bobbie Wilson (Ron), Brunswick, GA. and brothers, Ashford Pearce (Tena), Blythe Island, GA. and Wayne Pearce, Brunswick, GA. The family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00PM Saturday, September 23, 2017 at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home. A celebration of life service for Mr. Pearce will be held at 7:00 PM Saturday, September 23, 2017 in the Chapel of Edo Miller Funeral Home with Reverend Whit Chapman officiating. Masonic Rites will be conducted during the service. The Graveside Service will be officiated by Reverend Larry Boyette, will include military honors and will be held Sunday, September 24, 2017 at 4:00PM at Riverview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Valdosta, GA. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Frederica Baptist Church, 1700 Frederica Rd., St. Simons Island, GA 31522, or Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Pkwy, Brunswick, GA 31525, or the .Arrangements are entrusted into the care of Edo Miller and Sons Funeral www.edomill erandsons.com