William "Bill" Pearson, 63, of Valparaiso, Indiana, passed away suddenly on August 1, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, integrity, and quiet generosity.

Born on October 2, 1961, Bill was a graduate of Merrillville High School and went on to study airline mechanics, a field in which he would spend a respected and accomplished career.  He recently retired as an airplane mechanic after decades of service with both American and United Airlines.  Known for his meticulous attention to detail and deep mechanical knowledge, he was a trusted and valued member of every team with which he worked.

He also worked at Dwyer Instruments in Michigan City where he built strong friendships and a reputation for dependability.

Bill was the son of the late Bill and Ann Pearson of Merrillville, and is survived by his brother, David Pearson of Valparaiso and best friend, Nicole Tresnak of Lombard, IL.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Marilyn Johnson Tracy Pearson, owner of Marilyn's Bakery, as well as her daughters: Sharon Henn and Barbara Tracy.  Bill was a proud grandfather figure to Garrett Jones, Cara Jones, Christopher (Christina) Henn, and Tracy Eustace.

Bill had a lifelong love of the outdoors and could often be found fishing, working on cars, or coming up with creative, hands-on solutions to just about any problem.  He especially enjoyed the sport of shooting clays and spending time in nature.  His hobbies were a reflection of his sharp mind, practical skills, and deep appreciation for simplicity and craftsmanship.

Bill will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be held Monday, August 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00  a.m., at Augustana Lutheran Church, located at 207 Kelly Street, Hobart, Indiana.  A luncheon will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory may be made to Augustana Lutheran Church food pantry.