William Thomas (Bill) Pinner

Published 6:21 pm Monday, June 27, 2016

Bill Pinner was born William Thomas Pinner, the third of four children, to his parents, Richard Sattes Pinner and Blanche Elizabeth Powell Pinner, on April 30, 1928.

Preceding him in death are his parents, his brother, Richard Sattes Pinner II and his sister, Catherine Elizabeth Pinner McGurn.

Of his three siblings, surviving is one sister, Noel Pinner Cayton [William Latham (Buzz) Cayton] of Washington. Also surviving is his companion of 32 years, Karen Renfroe of Chiefland, Florida. His children are Bradley Duke Pinner and Heather Pinner, both of Gainesville, Florida, Jane Karen Pinner Kirby [James Henry (Rip) Kirby III] of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and Dieter Pinner of Atlanta, Georgia.

Bill has been blessed with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews who reside in Florida, Virginia, North Carolina and Colorado.

Bill was born and grew up in Belhaven, Beaufort County, North Carolina, where he attended school, graduating in 1946 from John A. Wilkinson High School. After college at UNC Chapel Hill he served in the U.S. Navy as a pharmacist. However, his career in life was spent as a businessman buying, selling and designing shoes.

Bill was founder of “Bill Pinner’s Fine Footwear” in Gainesville, Florida. The prosperity of his business was the result of a strong work ethic, honesty, integrity and a love for his customers, with whom he enjoyed lifelong relationships.

Bill Pinner of Gainesville, Florida, died peacefully on June 21, 2016 at North Florida Regional Hospital.

His was a life well lived. A positive attitude and fun personality endeared him to all who knew him. He was devoted to his family, his customers and his many friends, and was an enthusiastic “GATOR” fan.

We will miss Bill Pinner.