Bill Earl Pinkerton ~ July 16, 1929 to October 22, 2015

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 mvoved 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 them! 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. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com. Print this post