September 24, 1930 and passed away in Kirksville, Missouri on June 17, 2016, at the age of 85. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty C. Matheney of Kirksville, MO, one brother, James W. Matheney, Austin, TX, and one sister in law, Joyce McKnelly, Camarillo, CA. Pierce is also survived by his daughter Susan V. Aud (Ken Burzynski) of Anna, Illinois, his son Matthew Pierce Matheney IV (Brenda) of Kirksville, Missouri, and his son Kendall C. Matheney (Becky) of Kansas City, Missouri. He also leaves six grandchildren: Audrey Burzynski of Forest Park, IL; Amber Bryant (Jacob) of Kansas City, MO; Andrew Matheney of Jacksonville, IL; Matthew P. Matheney V (Anna), Megan Matheney, and Melina Matheney, all of Kirksville, Missouri.
Pierce earned a Doctor of Theology degree from Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky and had a lifetime career as Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, beginning in 1960. He retired at the age of 70 in 2000. He also engaged in supply preaching, and greatly enjoyed serving rural communities such as Winegan, Rothville, and Bevier, Missouri. He pursued postdoctoral studies at Harvard Divinity School and at Cambridge University in England. His research specialties included the minor prophets and history of the Old Testament, Hebrew language, and Biblical archaeology.
Pierce was well known for his musical talent. He studied piano and played hymns and popular songs by ear. He sang tenor in choirs ranging from Baylor’s collegiate chorus to church choirs in multiple communities. He was often asked to sing solos in churches where he preached.
Pierce enjoyed world travel with his wife, Betty, to England, Scotland and Europe, to Kenya and Uganda, and several trips to Israel. He was most passionate about his hobby of fishing and he also enjoyed golf, tennis and racketball, card and board games, and billiards.
Services will be held at White Chapel Funeral Home and Cemetery in Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday, June 26. Visitation is at 2:00. The funeral service will follow at 3:00, with interment of Pierce’s ashes immediately after. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Kirksville, at 6:30 pm., on Wednesday, June 29.