WILLIAM PINNELL

SIKESTON -- William Brooks Pinnell, 76, of Sikeston died Wednesday, Jan. 27, 1999, at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

He was born Sept. 23, 1922, in New Madrid, son of Lloyd Brooks and Leila Christine Tickell Pinnell. He and Evelyn Blankenship were married Dec. 14, 1945.

A graduate of Morehouse High School, he attended Duke University and Southeast Missouri State University.

Formerly of New Madrid, Pinnell was a teacher at New Madrid High School, and also served as principal at New Madrid Elementary School. He had been office manager at Buckeye Oil Mill in New Madrid County, and was in the insurance business more than 30 years. He was executive director of New Madrid County Port Authority 16 years, retiring Jan. 1.

Pinnell was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, member of American Legion Post 595 in New Madrid and its color guard, Knights of Columbus Council 7218 in New Madrid, and Fourth Degree knight and member of Thomas A. Langdon Assembly 568 in Cape Girardeau.

He was a former member and past commander of American Legion Post 114 in Sikeston, and former member and past grand knight of Knights of Columbus Council 3151 in Sikeston.

Pinnell was active in Boy Scouting more than 30 years. He served as a scoutmaster, and received the Silver Beaver Award and St. George Medal.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, William and Robert Pinnell of Sikeston; a daughter, Jackie Gooch of Sikeston; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A brother preceded him in death.

Friends may call at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel from 5-8 p.m. today. The rosary will be recited at 7:30 by KC councils in Sikeston and New Madrid.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Francis Church, with Msgr. William Stanton and the Rev. Amel Shibley officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetry at New Madrid, with military rites by American Legion Post 595 Color Guard.