Deacon William Pinckney Sr. of Bridgehampton Dies January 1

Deacon William Pinckney Sr. of Bridgehampton died on January 1 in Southampton. He was 79.

He was born on October 24, 1943, to the late Elick and Clara Mae Pinckney in Walterboro, South Carolina. He received his education at Colleton County High School in Walterboro, South Carolina. He was active in school; playing on the high school basketball team, and playing the trumpet in the school band. During his junior year, he also drove the school bus for Colleton High.

He attended and was baptized at the Oakland Branch Baptist Church in Walterboro, South Carolina. He left home at the age of 16 and moved to New York to work to help support his mother and siblings.

He worked with his father at AC. Carpenter Inc. and Baywoods Landscape Company, both in Water Mill. He also worked at Pinckney’s Inn, the family business in Bridgehampton.

He married Brenda L. Hopson on July 14, 1973.

Pinckney had a great passion for working on and driving fast cars. This great love led him and his father-in-law to build a Bomber Race car that he drove at the Riverhead Raceway in the 1970s. Along with fast cars, he also enjoyed riding his Honda motorcycle.

He worked for J&V Auto Salvage of Southampton for over 22 years, where his role was transporting cars throughout New York City and the surrounding areas.

His family said he will be remembered for the attention he gave to the young men in the community. He would always try to encourage the “young bugs” (as he affectionately called them) to work hard and do the right thing. With a nurturing spirit, he also gave special attention to children and it showed when they were in his presence.

Pinckney joined the Sons of Gideon Lodge No. 47 of Southampton in 1985, under the auspices of The Enoch Grand Lodge of Brooklyn, where he held the offices of secretary, senior warden and worshipful master. He was a member of Aurora Chapter No. 66 of Southampton, where he served as the grand patron. He was also affiliated with the Royal Arch Masons of New York State and The Shriners, earning the 32nd Degree.

Pinckney received his certificate of ordination as a deacon from the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton on July 16, 1995. He faithfully served for many years and ultimately gained the title of “deacon emeritus.” He was also a member of the men’s ministry. He enjoyed fellowshipping and serving the Lord. He would get excited every time he heard the choir sing his favorite song: “I Don’t Mind Waiting.”

He could often be found on Saturday mornings volunteering his time at church, where he would neatly fold over 100 church bulletins humming softly throughout the process.

One of his favorite pastimes was bowling. For many years, he bowled with the Tuesday Night Mens Bowling league, the Friday Night Mixed League and the Senior Mixed league at East Hampton Bowl.

He was predeceased by his sons Sean Walston and William Pinckney Jr.; his brother Clarence; his father Elick; mother Clara Mae; stepmother Willie Mae; and sister Clara Fryar.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Brenda L. Pinckney of Bridgehampton; his daughters, Linda Pinckney of Moriches, Sharon Stevens of the Bronx, Tracey Kangwa (Frederick) of Fort Myers, Florida, Tamara Pinckney of Shirley; his daughter/niece Sandy Ward (Cory) of Charlotte, North Carolina; sons William Anthony Walston of Hastings, Florida, and Eugene Hopson (Raven) of Columbus, Ohio; daughter-in-law Maxine Pinckney of Freeport; grandchildren Stephon Monroe, Cory Mims, Danielle Pinckney-Richardson, Crystal and Natasha Stevens, Cintron, Britney Woods-Lewis (Hayden), Jordan Hopson, Amani Washington, Kwame Yirenkyi, and Ayden Washington; great-grandchildren Ayden Hopson, Nalina and Jamar Mims, Maxine Reign Richardson and Gabriel John Lewis; sister Ruth V. Jenkison of Mooreston, New Jersey; four sisters-in-law, Diane McDole (Jerry) of Riverhead, Linda Hopson and Annette Hopson Charlotte, North Carolina, JoAnne Rhymer of Riverhead; four brothers-in-law, Rufus Hopson Jr. (Beverly) of Deltona, Florida, Norman Hopson (Cheryl) of Fort Mill South Carolina, Michael Hopson of Bridgehampton, Rick Hopson (Annette) of Quogue; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

A home-going service was held on January 6 at the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton followed by interment at Edgewood Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.