Dr. William Emery Pinney

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, April 15, 2015

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Sept. 16, 1941 – April 9, 2015

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas — Graveside memorial services for Dr. William Emery Pinney, 73, of McKinney, Texas, who died Thursday, April 9, 2015, will be at 11 a.m. today at the Cook-Walden Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas, under the direction of Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home.

Pinney was born Sept. 16, 1941, in Pensacola, Fla., the son of Robert Kenneth Pinney and Louise Emery Pinney.

In 1964, he graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering and in 1965, he graduated with a master of business administration. He then completed his doctor of philosophy in economics and business administration.

After arriving at General Dynamics in Fort Worth, Texas, as an engineer in 1966, Bil was instrumental in designing a mathematical model used in the development of the F-111 and F-16 aircrafts. He also served as the vice president of Marcon Industrial, Inc., a company performing engineering and business consulting for government and military projects. He quickly also found his way back to the academic world as an assistant professor at Texas Christian University in 1967. He joined the University of Texas at Arlington in 1969, and eventually Alcorn State University in Natchez in 1998. He devoted more than 40 years to teaching and mentoring young people throughout his distinguished career.

Pinney developed a number of undergraduate and graduate courses ranging from business statistics to applied mathematical programming. He was also a co-author of a number of textbooks in the Decision Sciences field and was active in the Southwest Decision Sciences Institute and the National Decision Sciences Institute, holding a number of committee and officer positions in these groups. In recognition of his many contributions, he was awarded the Outstanding Educator Award in 2003, by the Southwest DSI.

As an instructor, one of his greatest joys was working with dedicated students and seeing their potential unlocked with education. He inspired countless students throughout his career and encouraged many to enter the teaching profession as well. His unique teaching methods, textbook contributions and willingness to accommodate any learning style brought complicated concepts into focus and launched lifelong understanding and professional development for his fortunate students.

In 1980, Bil married Ms. Van Chauvin and they experienced a number of adventures together including bird watching on a number of beautiful vacations throughout the world, sailing in the Caribbean, hot air ballooning and even teaching clowning classes as Blossom and Uncle Will. While at home, they were also active members of the Episcopalian church and the Scottish Heritage Society, which gave Bil an excuse to proudly wear his kilt. He was a lifelong fan of golf and only stopped playing when his shoulders wouldn’t cooperate. They were married 30 years at her death in 2010.

Life then brought Bil back to Texas. He moved to McKinney and married Edna Boyce in 2014. They enjoyed spending their time with family members in this area, entertaining friends and tending their dogs and cats.

We will all miss Bil for his intelligence, Santa Claus face, delicious homemade salsa, humor, honesty and steadfast love. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin and loyal friend. His time spent with family and friends was his greatest joy and he was so pleased with their many achievements, successes and activities.

Survivors include his wife, Edna Boyce Pinney; one daughter, Laura Pinney Munson and husband, David, of Arlington, Texas; one son, Marc Emery Pinney and wife, Amy, of Dallas; grandchildren, Drew and Audrey Munson, Eason, Amelia and Rex Pinney; his mother, Louise Neisius of Jacksonville, Fla.; and a number of other sisters, brothers, cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be given to the Audubon Society or your local humane society.

Online condolences may be sent to cookwaldencapitalparks.com.