Phil Pierson

Philip Pierson, age 73, of Clio, died Saturday, January 20, 2018, at his home. The Mass of Christian burial will take place 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at SS. Charles & Helena Catholic Church in Clio. Phil’s family will receive friends at Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services in Mt. Morris on Tuesday, from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm then from 4:30 pm until 8:00 pm. Family and friends will gather for the Flint Bowling Association Service at 5:00 pm followed by a Scripture Service at 7:00 pm. On Wednesday morning, Phil will be taken to the church to lie in state from 10:00 am until the time of Mass at 11:00 am Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the North End Soup Kitchen or the Valley Agency on Aging. Envelopes are available at the funeral home or church. Phil was born May 4, 1944, in Harper Woods, Michigan, the son of Mr. & Mrs. Bernhardt and Dorothy (Ahlgren) Pierson. He and Martha Dolan were united in marriage on June 25, 1983, in Flint. He received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University, graduating with the class of 1966, from there, he would become a sportswriter for the Flint Journal for 30 years, until his retirement in 1997. He and Martha were also owners and publishers of the 11th Frame Bowling News from 1984 until 2010. Phil proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. In his free time, Phil enjoyed spending time with family and friends, bowling, golfing, and was an avid local racing fan. He was a Michigan State University All-Big Ten bowling champion in 1966. He was inducted into the Flint Bowling Hall of Fame in 1992. He was a board member for the Flint Sports Hall of Fame for 20 years and served as the president from 2009 until 2012. He received the Emeritus Recognition Award in 2017. Phil was also inducted into the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan in media in 2000. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 34 years, Martha (Dolan) Pierson; children: Corrin (Jason) DeBettencourt, Carrie Pierson, Matthew (Catherine) Pierson; stepchildren: John (Kim) Felisky, Joe (Lisa) Felisky, Jane (Dennis) Sargent, and Michael (Jamie) Felisky; and eight grandchildren: Anna, Maya, Megan, Paige, Erik, Evan, Jennifer, and Luke. Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Bernhardt and Dorothy Pierson.