William E. Pink's Obituary
William (Bill) passed away on February 22, 2015 at his home in Ft Myers, Florida surrounded by his devoted wife Ethel and caring daughter Kathy. He was 89 years young. He leaves behind his best friend and wife of 64 years, Ethel Emily (Houghton) Pink, three daughters, Elizabeth Pink Covert married to Rick Covert of Victoria, Texas, Barbara Ann Molseed married to Thomas James Molseed of Allentown, PA, Kathy Pink Bonfante of Ft Myers, FL. Bill (Pop Pop) also leaves behind four wonderful grandchildren, Abby Covert Sanford, married to James Cooper Sanford, NY, NY, Sydney Houghton Covert of Austin Texas, Kelsey Emily Molseed of Allentown, PA and Maxwell Colin Molseed of Philadelphia, PA. His parents, William McKinley Pink and Elizabeth (Schuster) Pink preceded him in death. Also left to cherish his memory are Ethel’s extended family in Great Britain. There are also many family friends that are to numerous to list here. Bill was born June 2, 1925 in Newark, NJ. Bill graduated from Irvington High School in NJ in June of 1943 and immediately joined the US Navy to serve his country. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer in 1963 after 20 years of service. He was awarded the Legion of Merit by the Secretary of the Navy along with numerous citations for his office management innovations. In 1964 he graduated with honors from The Pennsylvania State University with a BS in Business Management. He spent the next 21 years in the finance industry on Wall Street until retiring for the second time from Dean Witter Reynolds in 1985. He coined the phrase “doing what’s right” as the tag line to his management style using the Dean Witter Reynolds initials. He commenced to writing his memoirs “Maverick Sailor” in two volumes detailing his twenty year naval career in a lighthearted story telling book. One of his greatest attributes was his ability to bring a room together, be it strangers and/or family and friends with his intricate “true” stories, many of which are highlighted in the book. Bill was a man who loved life, his family, his country and his children. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, generous Pop Pop, dedicated naval officer and an avid Penn Stater. He will always be our maverick sailor, rest in peace. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the American Cancer Society.
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