Bill Earl Pinkerton passed away on October 22, 2015 at his home on Sarpy Creek, after a day of playing cards in Hysham and being the High Point winner.
Bill was born in Forsyth, Montana on July 16, 1929. He was the tenth child born to James (Jick) and Elizabeth Hays Pinkerton and the only one to be born in a hospital.
Bill was raised on the family homestead on West Armells Creek where he attended several schools until the eighth grade. One of the first schools he attended was the Black Hank School, which he rode his horse to.
He worked for many people on Sarpy Creek, Myers and Hysham, starting at the age of 12. He was working in Birney, Montana at the Three Circle Ranch when he met a Sheridan, Wyoming girl who was cooking for the Quarter Circle U Ranch. Bill and Donna Neal were married in Sheridan, Wyoming on February 6, 1952. Their son, Richard, was born while Bill and Donna were working in Birney.
In 1956, the family moved home to Bill’s parent’s homestead which they purchased. They ranched on West Armells Creek until 1978 and moved to Haxby Point in Jordan, Montana. They continued ranching in Garfield County until they moved to Sarpy Creek in 2003.
Many miles were driven by Bill and Donna following their son in his school activities and they did the same to follow their grandchildren’s school activities. Bill followed his great-grandchildren as much as possible. Bill will always be remembered as an avid card player, teaching his grandchildren to play crib and seldom losing many games to any of us! He was well known for his horse breaking abilities, from wild horses to polo ponies. The horses that got the best of Bill were few and very far between and they were the ones that Bill talked about the most! Bill was a 4-H leader for many years, instrumental in building the Colstrip Roping Club Arena, and he was a director in the First Security Bank in Roundup for many years. He could be counted on being present at all board meetings.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Donna, his parents, four brothers and five sisters. He is survived by his son Richard (Noelle), grandchildren Rian (Danae), Clark (Jen), Julie (Clay) and great-grandchildren Casey, Davin, Daley, Daysa, Coy, Renley and Crey. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial may be made in Bill’s memory to the Treasure County Ambulance, Hysham Volunteer Fire Department or to a favorite charity.
Services will be at 11:00 am on Friday, October 30, 2015 at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth, MT. Burial will be in the Forsyth Cemetery immediately following service. A reception will follow at Stevenson and Sons.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Thursday October 29, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Ln.
Forsyth, MT 59327
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Thursday October 29, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Ln.
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Friday October 30, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Ln.
Forsyth, MT 59327
Graveside Service
Friday October 30, 2015
Forsyth Cemetery
2804 Old HIghway 10
Forsyth, MT 59327
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Thursday October 29, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Ln.
Forsyth, MT 59327
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Thursday October 29, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Ln.
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Friday October 30, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Ln.
Forsyth, MT 59327
Graveside Service
Friday October 30, 2015
Forsyth Cemetery
2804 Old HIghway 10
Forsyth, MT 59327
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John & Jenny Frady says
so sorry , to hear about Bill, He was a wonderful guy,
Gail Kolb says
We are so sorry to hear about Bill. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jerry and Donna Holman says
So sorry to hear about Bill, I will miss him as my early morning patient. He was a joy to see at the clinic. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Dr Marta King, Donna Petroff and Donna Holman.
Gracie Ann Waples Hill says
So sorry to hear that Billy passed away….we were just talking with Gary Wells a couple of days ago and wondering about him. Our love and prayers and hugs to all of you….
Howard Shawver says
I am sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. There wasn’t a better man than he. I had many cups of coffee and visits with him when I delivered propane to him.
Phil and Darlene Shawver says
Sending Condolences and Prayers for Bills Family May you find comfort in Gods Love. We have fond memories of Bill ,Donna, and all of you from when you Lived in Garfield Co.
Sandra Barclay says
Sending thoughts and prayers to Bill’s family…may you find comfort in your memories.
Weston Harbaugh says
So sorry to hear about Bill. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Jeana Bliss says
So, so sorry to here about Bill. Know that I am thinking of you all and praying for Gods comfort to you in your time of sorrow. I will never forget to bid nine nineny.
Larry Barnes says
My condolences to all of Bills family. Remember him as a good guy and he will be missed by all that knew him. My prayers are with all of you.
Jo Coldwell Smith says
I’m so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. He was a great man and I have many wonderful childhood memories full of him, Donna and your family. May you all find comfort in God’s grace.
Judy Coldwell says
I’m sorry to hear about your loss. I know you will all miss Bill very much. I pray that you will be comforted by God’s love & your many caring friends.
Jana Hance says
Pinkerton Family –
Bill was like a Grandpa to me too, we celebrated many birthdays together and I have not missed too many years of sending a card annually on July 16th. I have many fond memories of playing pinochle with Bill and Donna and even still mimic him the a nineniny bid sometimes.
One of my favorite memories is one year at shipping time when a little XII Clan Scotch was drank at the dining room table at the Isaacs residence. Then we decided Jana could stay at Bill & Donnas, I’d be outta the way on shipping moring and closer to school. Bill missed the dirt and ending up in the overshoe (some will know what this means), then we needed to shoot the skunk that was in the live trap – Dick and Bill both out of the pick-up, Jana could steer it to shine the lights on the skunk…long story short, Bill got sprayed, the skunk lived and we were in deep doo when we got to Donnas where Bill was instructed to leave the clothing ALL OF THEM on the porch.
This is one of few, will miss him much, one of my all time favorite grampas.
Love you all!
Ed & Joanne (Peters) Luther says
Our condolences sent to you folks in your time of loss. Your parents were so near & dear to my folks. Bill was one of Dad’s special cowboy friends. The countless stories & memories will always live on in our hearts.
May the God of all comfort be your comforter. Our love & prayers are with each of you.
Rick and Kathy Hurr says
Dick and Noelle so sorry to hear about your Dad
Pastor Mark, Dori & family says
So sorry to hear about your families’ loss. It’s hard to lose foundational members of our families. We didn’t know Bill personally but it sounds as if he left a great legacy. Casey, Davin,Daley, Daysa,Coy, Renley & Crey he will always be in your hearts. I pray all of you including your parents will be blessed with great memories to give you peace in such a time of sorrow.
Pastor Mark, Dori & family says
Dickinson & Noelle,
So sorry for this great loss. No matter the age, there’s still a peace of our hearts that leave with them. May God give you peace & comfort thru these difficult times.
Pastor Mark, Dori & family says
Dick & Noelle,
So sorry for this great loss. No matter the age, there’s still a peace of our hearts that leave with them. May God give you peace & comfort thru these difficult times.
Janet & Randy Stanhope says
We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. All our prayers are sent your way.
Glen and Teena Bollinger says
Our deepset sympathy on the loss your father. God Bless!
Glen and Teena Bollinger
Barbara Mellinger says
So sorry to hear about My Uncle Billy Earls passing – I haven’t seen him for many years –
But he sure had a great life – and what a wonderful family there in Montana…
My Heartfelt Sympathy To All Of The Family … Barbara Mellinger –
Opal Linder’s daughter