William A. “Pug” Pearman was born May 21, 1929. After an outstanding career at Harding High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he was “All-Everything,” Pearman was invited to the Shrine Bowl, then a game between all-stars from North and South Carolina. His performance immortalized him as a member of the Shrine Game all-time Team. Pearman then enrolled at the University of Tennessee and starred as a lineman for General Robert Neyland from 1947 to 1952. He played regularly during the 1949 season and started in 1950. Pearman played on the 1951 National Championship Volunteer team that beat Texas 20-14 in the Cotton Bowl and was a consensus All-SEC, All-Southern, and All-American defensive lineman. In recognition of his fine performance, Pearman was selected to play in the Senior Bowl and in the College all-star Game against the NFL champions. After graduation from UT, “Pug” served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1952 to 1954. Pearman was then employed by the Exxon Company and remained with them until 1970, when he joined the Vol Oil Company. In 1980 he became associated with Browning-Ferris Industries. Though he spends much of his time in Nashville, “Pug” Pearman is a resident of Memphis.
