CLAYTON - Philip W. Pierson passed away on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018.
He was born on June 5, 1928 on the family farm in Hockessin, the son of the late Wilson T. and Emma S. Pierson.
Philip graduated from Conrad High School, class of 1946. It was there he met the love of his life Romaine Jordan. They were married in 1950 and spent nearly 52 years together before her passing. Philip was a lifelong farmer – nearly all of that as a dairy farmer. During high school he delivered bottled milk from the Pierson Homestead Dairy Farm door to door. In 1969 the dairy operation moved to Clayton and expanded. In partnership with his son Wayne, Aynestead Farm transitioned from dairy to crops. Philip continued to play an active role until just recently, instilling his lifelong passion and pride for growing good crops in the farmers in his family. His collection of Oliver Tractors began with a new Oliver 1600 in 1964 and blossomed over the years to include many restored tractors. That collection outnumbered only by his ever expanding collection of toy tractors.
He was the family videographer, long before cell phones captured videos. With his collection of "tapes", he documented family activities of his grandchildren for over 30 years. He was an avid Phillies fan, a member of the Mason Dixon Oliver Collectors Assoc., the Holstein Association, Smyrna Grange, and Delaware Farm Bureau.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his brother, William S. Pierson; and his son-in-law, Charles L. Busker.
Philip is survived by his son, Wayne P. Pierson (Patty) of Clayton; his daughter, Charmayne P. Busker of Harrington; four grandchildren, Gina Furia (Bill), Philip Busker (Ann), Stacy Blevins (Jason) and Sara Busker; and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Ruth P. Marshall (Tom); and sister-in-laws, Katherine Pierson and Pearl Jordan.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Faries Funeral Chapel, located at 29 South Main Street in Smyrna.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Hockessin Friends Meeting, located at 1501 Old Wilmington Road in Hockessin.
Burial will be held promptly at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Bryn Zion Cemetery, located on Rt. 300 just East of Kenton.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Philip's memory to The Delaware Agricultural Museum & Village, 866 N. DuPont Hwy., Dover, DE 19901.
Condolence letters may be sent by visiting www.fariesfuneralhome.com