The Pierces were  Lumbee Indian tenant farmers who had moved to the Hoke Indian community of Hawkeye from South Carolina. Julian was one of 13 children. He attended Antioch Elementary School and then Hawkeye Elementary and High School, from which he graduated in 1962 at the age of 16.
The Pierces were a family of Lumbee Indian tenant farmers who had made the move to the Hoke community of Hawkeye from South Carolina. Julian was one of 13 siblings. He attended elementary schools in Antioch and Hawkeye before graduating from high school at the age of 16.