William "Bill" Earle Pinola

Mr. Pinola passed away February 11, in Tyler. He was born in Boston, MA, on May 7, 1940, to Edwin and Mary Pinola. Bill graduated from Braintree, MA, High School in 1958, entered the Air Force after graduation and continued until retirement in 1979 where he proudly earned the rank of Master Sergeant. During his service, he deployed to Vietnam in 1967 as a Flight Engineer and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for combat service along with many other honorable commendations and medals. After working odd jobs, Bill finally retired again to Canton in 1999 where he became a parishioner of St. Therese Catholic Church. He then established a prison ministry for inmates at the Tennessee Colony and Van Zandt County jail. Bill always enjoyed traveling, having target practice and above all making Texas brisket and ribs.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Mary Pinola; daughter, Lisa Maureen Lyons; siblings, Gordon Pinola, Richard Pinola and Anne Melanson. He is survived by his wife Wilma, daughter Elaine and Mako Smith of South Carolina: sons, William Pinola, JC Chuck and Irene Todd of Canton: grandsons, Corey and Ryan: granddaughters, Sarah and Natalie.

Visitation will be held 6-7pm Wednesday, followed by a Rosary beginning at 7pm at Eubank Funeral Home.

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