William E Pinch (1920 - 2014)

Born 5 Nov 1920 in Leavenworth, Washington, United States

Biography

It is with heavy hearts that we are sharing the passing of our dear husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather, William E. Pinch. He passed peacefully Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center with his family at his side.

His journey began Nov. 5, 1920, in Leavenworth, Wash. He was born to Anna M. and William E. Pinch Sr., joining brother Jack. The following year, the family moved to Lewiston. It is here that they made their home and established the family business of W.E. Pinch Wholesale.

Bill and his brother, Jack, worked with their parents in the family business. He attended St. Stanislaus School and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1938. He continued his education at Gonzaga University and graduated with a degree in philosophy in 1942. It is during this time he met Anita Jean Weipert and began what became a beautiful, lifelong relationship. Anita and Bill celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in February. Upon graduation, he reported to the U.S. Marine Corps Officer Training Center in Quantico, Va. He served in the Pacific theater, where he was wounded in the Battle of Tarawa. He was then transported to the military hospital in Hawaii. It was there that he was presented the Purple Heart by Adm. Chester W. Nimitz. Upon returning from World War II, he was met in San Francisco by Anita and their families and they were married. He later retired as a major in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Anita and Bill made their home in Lewiston for more than 60 years where their son, Jim, and daughter, Alice Ann, were born. As co-owner of the family business, Bill enjoyed his years as a salesman. He was an active member of St. Stanislaus Church, serving on the parish board. His faith and love of family were always his priorities. He spent many years as a Boy Scout leader and enjoyed golf, hunting and fishing with family and friends.

In 2000 he and Anita moved to Spokane to be near family. They lived at the Waterford for 10 years. Bill then became part of the Spokane Veterans Home family. He was loved and cared for by the staff that became part of our family as well.

He is survived by his wife, Anita of Post Falls, Idaho; son Jim of Spokane; and daughter Alice Ann Page Laughlin (Mike) of Post Falls. William is also survived by his grandson, Dr. William Page (Jackie) and his three great-grandchildren, Ally, Rees and Jack; grandson Mathew Laughlin (Jerika) and family; and several nieces and nephews.

There will be a Mass celebrating his life at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Our Lady of Fatima Church, located at 1517 E. 33rd Ave., in Spokane.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Spokane Veterans Home in his name at Spokane Veterans Home, 222 E. Fifth Ave., Spokane, WA 99202.

Sources

• "United States Census, 1930," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XH6M-TV1 : accessed 25 Aug 2014), William Pinch Jr. in household of William E Pinch, Lewiston, Nez Perce, Idaho, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 0011, sheet 7A, family 160, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 402.

• "United States Census, 1940," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VY4T-61Q : accessed 25 Aug 2014), William E Pinch in household of William E Pinch, Ward 2, Lewiston, Election Precinct 17, Nez Perce, Idaho, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 35-16, sheet 61B, family 53, NARA digital publication of T627, roll 751.