Phyllis E. Piercey died in Olympia, Washington on Aug. 22, 2022. She was born in Fargo, North Dakota on Jan. 17, 1927, to Charles V. and Irene (Svoboda) Larson. Her father came to Hoquiam, Washington in July 1929 and found work and settled at Polson’s Railroad Camp. Her mother and three siblings followed, arriving by train in October, 1929.
Phyllis attended the first grade at Polson’s and when the school closed in 1933 she attended Hoquiam Central Grade School, Junior High and High School, graduating in 1944 with the honor group. After graduation she ventured to Monterey, California with her lifelong friend, Lucille Key Martin, where she worked at the Fort Ord Army Base hospital and later for the Ford Motor Company in Salinas, California.
She returned to Hoquiam in 1951 and worked for W.K. (Jack) Routt Accounting from 1951 to 1953 and Twin Harbors Lumber Office until 1967.
Phyllis married Robert J. Piercey, Nov. 12, 1954, in Hoquiam. In 1967, he graduated from St. Martin’s College at the age of 45, and they moved to Sequim. While there she worked for Larkin and Baker Accounting in Port Angeles. They returned to Elma in 1969, and she worked at the National Bank of Commerce for one year. In July, 1970 she went to work in the Grays Harbor County Auditor’s Office in the bookkeeping department. She was appointed Chief Deputy Auditor on Feb. 1, 1973. On Jan. 1, 1981, she was appointed County Auditor to fill the unexpired term of the former auditor. She successfully ran for the position in 1981, 1982 and 1986, retiring in 1989.
After retirement, Phyllis volunteered for many organizations, including the Shiba Insurance Program, RSVP, Income Tax Aide, Beacon School Passport Club, Westport Lighthouse, Elma Rest Stop, Central Park School and the Grays Harbor County Fair. The 2001 Fair was dedicated to her.
She is survived by one daughter Marlys Hamilton, three sons; Rick, Robert James Jr. (Dona) and Gary; four granddaughters; one grandson; four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Phyllis was predeceased by her loving husband, Robert, in July 1980; her parents; sisters, Verna Martin and Patricia Nelson; brothers E.F. (Oddie) Larson and Llewellyn (Louie) Larson, who was lost in the Battle of the Coral Sea, May 8, 1942, while serving on the oil tanker, U.S.S. Neosho; and a daughter-in-law Debbie Piercey.
She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Montesano, Hoquiam Alumni Association, Tall Ships, AARP, Washington State Public Employees Retirement Association, Polson’s Museum and former Aberdeen Business and Professional Women and Zonta Clubs.
She enjoyed playing cards, traveling, swimming, digging clams and especially loved times spent with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends.
The family would like to thank Steve and Jill (Anderson) Hulbert for their many hours spent with her and for Jill’s special treats.
Per her request there will be no formal services
Memorials may be sent to the charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements by McComb and Wagner, Shelton.
