Robert Joe Pierce

Robert Joe “Butch” Pierce of Buhl, Idaho peacefully passed away at his home on September 26, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer. His loving daughter, Tiffany, and special friend, Linda Francis, were by his side.

Butch was born June 3, 1943, in Twin Falls, Idaho, to Perry and Lois Pierce. He spent his formative years on the family farm southeast of Buhl, alongside his four siblings. Despite modest means, the Pierce family was tightly knit. Butch learned the value of hard work on the farm, but he also cherished hunting and fishing adventures with his father and brothers.

He attended Buhl High School, where he graduated with the class of 1961. Football held a special place in his heart during those school years. Butch’s journey continued at the University of Idaho, where he pledged to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and formed lifelong friendships that greatly influenced his life. As a proud Vandal, he graduated in 1967. His commitment to service led him to the United States Air Force. Commissioned on May 5, 1967, Butch trained as an attack aircraft pilot at Webb AFB, Texas. Stationed in Thailand, he flew F4 fighters in over 450 successful combat missions during the Vietnam conflict, serving with honor for 18 months. In 1971, Captain Pierce received an honorable discharge and returned to Buhl after a brief time in the Lake Tahoe area.

Butch’s civilian life included employment at WEFCO Fertilizer in the 1970s. Eventually, he took ownership of WEFCO, a vital hub in Buhl where farmers gathered over morning coffee to discuss the world’s important matters.

In 1976, Butch married Nancy Larsen, and happily embraced becoming the father of her two children, Travis and Tiffany. The family shared cherished memories on the Pierce, Pierce, and Weaver ranch north of Buhl. Despite their later divorce, Butch and Nancy remained friends until his passing.

After retiring in 2004, Butch pursued his favorite pastime: hunting. An avid bighorn sheep hunter, he achieved the North American Bighorn Sheep Grand Slam in 2002, a rare and prestigious hunting achievement. The Owyhee Desert echoed with the sound of his name as he often ventured out with his dog and nephew, Ken Pierce, in pursuit of chukars. He also spent much of this time with his friend and companion Marla Partin, attending various sporting and other family events. Marla maintained a special place in Butch’s heart.

Butch leaves behind a rich legacy of love. He was preceded in death by his parents, Perry and Lois; and brother, Richard. He is survived by his brothers, David of Buhl and Mike of Cascade; sister, Annette of Eugene; son, Travis Pierce (LeAnna) of Twin Falls; daughter, Tiffany Mederios (Scott) of Mountain Home; granddaughters, Kylee (Blake) Siebert, Kensee (Ben) Freilich, Paris Mederios, and Paisley Mederios; grandson, Pierce Mederios; great-grandchildren, Oliver, Felix, Oaklee, and Quinn; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews who will carry his memory forward. Butch also had a son, Loren Reynolds, whom he reunited with later in life; sadly, Loren passed away in 2023.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the First Christian Church, 1005 Poplar Street in Buhl. His ashes will rest in the Snake River Canyon National Cemetery, along with a special place in the Owyhee Desert, the landscape he loved. A Celebration of Life will follow at Clear Lakes Country Club in Buhl.

The family extends a heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Visions Hospice, particularly Ginger and the care team, for their exceptional support.

Memorial donations may be made in Butch’s name to the Vandal Scholarship Fund: https://www.uidaho.edu/giving/athletics/vsf. 

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Butch’s memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.