W.E. "Winn" Pinkston

W.E. (Winn) Pinkston was born on August 20, 1921, in Chireno, Texas to Emily Magdalene and Robert M. Pinkston. He passed in Austin, TX on February 26, 2022. He was 100 and ½ years old! As a young child, he said all he ever wanted to do was to fly airplanes.

He graduated from Holland, Texas High School and then went to Baylor University for 2 years. When WWII started, he left Baylor and joined the Army Air Corp. He served 4 years as a flight officer/flight instructor. He also attended SMU briefly for flight training. After the war, he flew for Snowden Oil and Gas Company in Dallas, TX. After that, they moved to Austin where he became a partner in the oil and gas firm, Pinkston, Miller and Pinkston. He continued to give private flying lessons for many years. They relocated to Chicago, Illinois where he flew a BAC 111 for a large corporation. Missing home and family, they moved back to Austin. He worked for Fashion Floors until he retired, he was in his 80’s! He declared himself as “The World’s Greatest Flying Carpet Salesman”!

During the war, he met the love of his life Ella Ruth Myers. They were married on October 8, 1943 in Coleman TX where he was instructing. They were married for 56 years until her death in 1999. He took loving care of her for many years. He later married Virginia Ann Chilton Layton they were married for 14 years. He took loving care of her.

Winn is survived by three children: W.E. “Sandy” Pinkston and wife Rhonda, Christina Ruth “Tina” Pinkston and Emily Gayle “Gayle” Frizzell; Five grandchildren: Vicky DiMego and husband Mike, Tiffany Walker, Dr. Scott Pinkston and wife Rhonda, Tamorra Lyn Pinkston, Nick Frizzell and wife Angel, and Travis Chilton, Fourteen great grandchildren: Caitlin Pinkston, Avery Pinkston, Dustin Allman, Scottlyn Grace Goodmanson, Banks Ellis Goodmanson, Jonathan DiMego, Emily DiMego, Zane Pinkston Walker,

Adrianna Frizzell Widby, Sophia Frizzell, Riley Frizzell, Caden Frizzell, Collins Frizzell, Kinsington Frizzell, Niece Becky Perkins and husband Tommy, Nephew Randy Pinkston and wife Pam, and nieces Nancy and Janice (N’ee) Myers.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his only sibling, Robert E. Pinkston and Ella Ruth Myers Pinkston and Virginia Ann Chilton Layton Pinkston.

Winn was a man who loved life. His Christian faith, sense of humor, kindness and love for family and friends touched and influenced everyone he met. He was a member of the “Greatest Generation” and he was the greatest Daddy/Big Daddy that his family ever knew – he set the bar high for us!

The family would like to thank all of the special staff and friends’ (you know who you are!) at The Atria and most recently at The Pavilion, especially staff members Ade, Maggie, Mohan, Norma, Leanna, Youleng, Veronica, Jayson, Daniel, David (and the other dining room staff), Julie, Bertha, Mike, Darrell, and Teresita, the Halcyon Hospice staff including: Ramon, Wendy, Carol, Christina, Lory, Raven, Erin and so many more. Also, his brothers and sisters at Great Hills Baptist Church.

“Keep ‘em flying” Daddy!

A funeral service for Winn will be held Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Great Hills Baptist Church, 10500 Jollyville Road, Austin, TX 78759.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com for the Pinkston family.