William Hampton Pinkney, Sr. was born November 1, 1920 in Newberry, South Carolina. Son of the late Johnnie and Luella Scurry Pinkney, he was the seventh of twelve children. He completed his formal education at Dan Watkin High School in Newberry. He was baptized at a very early age at the Little River Baptist Church in Silverstreet, South Carolina, where he was a very active member for many years serving as both an usher and junior choir member. In 1939, he departed for Winston Salem, North Carolina where he worked in the Tobacco Factory for several years and played with the Camel City Camels Baseball Club. In 1940, he moved to Washington, D.C. and within two years he joined the Teamsters Local Union 639.

William later answered the call of duty serving the nation as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. He was enlisted on July 6, 1943 into the U.S. Army, serving as a PFC during World War II combat in the European Theater 463 Amphibian Tracking Battalion and the 169th Engineering Combat Battalion in Normandy Northern France. His duties included Transportation Corps Basic Training as an amphibious truck driver, heavy truck driver, and longshoreman. Among his awards and decorations are the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged January 17, 1946.

After returning home and resuming his employment with Teamsters Local Union 639, William would serve as a member for 38 years as a commercial trucker and business representative. He was also employed by the Lincoln Cab Company for 37 years. He attended Cardoza where he earned his license as a master mechanic. He was also a member of the Masonic Harmony Lodge No. 22 F & A.M. and an avid sportsman enjoying both fishing and hunting. He retired in 1980.

William was united in holy matrimony to the late Mamie Lucretia Conner; to this union were born one son William, Jr., and three daughters Sheila Patrice, Carolyn Lucretia, and Gayle Tawana of Washington, D.C. He was happily married for 35 years until a sudden illness took his lovely Mamie on October 27, 1981. He had joined New Southern Rock Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., and was an active member until his own illness prevented him from attending service regularly. Despite the difficulties of his illness, he bravely persevered, bored the hardships and suffering with resolute patience and courage, never complaining, but demonstrating an inner strength supported by his faith in God. But neither the skillful hands of the physicians, nor the loving hands of his daughter Carolyn could stop the appointed journey's end. On the morning of March 20, 1995, God's appointed angel entered and closed the eyes of our dear beloved William for the final time in this life.

Williams leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memory, one son William, Jr. of Silver Spring, Maryland; daughters Sheila, Carolyn, and Gayle of Washington, D.C.; two brothers Colie Pinkney of Trenton and Emanuel Muhammad of Moncks Corner, South Carolina; four sisters Bennie Murphy of Jersey City, Ethel Taylor, Maryam Muhammad of Trenton, and Nancy Yates of Washington, D.C.; eight grandchildren James, Robyn, Eugene, Duane, Monique, William III, Karmyn "Wild Wings, and Brandon "Bo Jangles;" one granddaughter-in-law Petra; one devoted son-in-law Harmon "Handy Andy" of Washington, D.C.; one daughter-in-law Linda; three brothers-in-law Thomas E. Conner and David Sheppard of Washington, D.C., and Wilbur Murphy of Trenton, New Jersey; three sisters-in-law Trudy and Rosebud Pinkney of New Jersey, and Louise Pinkney of Moncks Corner, South Carolina; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. Special thanks to Cousin Alice for all the unselfish acts of kindness she has done for the family over the years and in our time of bereavement.

Memorial services were held at 11 a.m. at the New Southern Rock Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Rudolph White officiating and with funeral services under the direction of Horton's Funeral Service, Inc. William was buried with military honors.