William Charles Brinkley

September 29, 1951 - January 6, 2025

Sergeant First Class William Brinkley, 73, passed away peacefully from this realm to the next on January 6, 2025. Bill was a decorated veteran who served in the Vietnam war and during the Cold War. Bill retired from the U.S. Army in 1990 after serving more than 22 years.

He was a beloved husband, father, and friend. He continues his mission as a cavalry scout in that other realm waiting for those that will follow.

Bill was at times ornery as his mother Joan or his sister Susan might tell you.

He loved baseball and once told a story of the time he traveled to try out with the Pittsburgh Pirates. To be clear he was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan and would tell stories of watching guys like Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, and many others play baseball as a kid. As a child he was hit by a hard line drive at 3rd base that almost caused him to lose his vision in one eye.

Bill told stories about his cousins Fran Prewett, Jerry Prewett, Terry Williams. Terry once told a story of how they might hang around the Houston House in Newburg, MO as young kids waiting for people to leave a nice roast beef lunch unattended where they would swoop in and take it across the street to finish under the pool hall next door where a creek ran beneath. Of course, everyone knew them and would promptly let their grandmother Viola McCartney who operated the corner

variety store or his mother know what the kids were up to.

Bill was no less ornery as a teen and promptly ended up in front of his Uncle George Kearney who was a judge. His uncle encouraged him to find a more structured environment to grow and learn. Bill would tell you he followed that advice, and he always had great respect for his great uncle.

Bill entered the Army’s delayed entry program at the age of 17 in 1968 with the 5th Army at Fort Leonard Wood. He

deployed to Germany to help with border security as many were being pulled and sent to Vietnam. Bill was sent to Vietnam after his 18th birthday in 1969 with the 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry of the 101st Airborne Division as a cavalry scout. Bill didn’t tell many stories about Vietnam, but he did tell the story of landing at an open-air airport in Vietnam and walking down the steps off the plane into thick humidity. They lined up on the tarmac where the request was promptly made for volunteers. No one wanted to volunteer, including Bill. Volunteers were quickly picked and told to grab a typewriter for an easy administrative assignment. The rest, including Bill, weren’t that lucky. He spent much of that time at Camp Eagle and Phu Bai with some occasional time in Cambodia. While in Vietnam he had the opportunity to visit Australia for a little recovery after coming down with malaria.

When Bill returned from Vietnam he spent time at Fort Leonard Wood processing deserters. He was dating Ellen when he ended up briefly leaving the military. He found himself working several jobs looking for a fit. He was a milkman for Foremost. One of the perks was free ice cream. He worked for Kingsford in Belle, at the sawmill in Newburg, and he trained as a telegrapher for the railroad, but nothing worked out.

Bill and his first wife Ellen (Noblett) were married in July 1972. Bill learned he and his wife were expecting their first child Kimberly. Kimberly passed away during childbirth in April 1973. They moved out to Virginia and Bill found a job as a roofer. He wasn’t afraid of heights after spending so much time hanging out of a chopper in Vietnam. Once they learned they were expecting another child they returned to Missouri, and he reenlisted in the Army. His first son Bill Jr. was born in November 1974 at Fort Leonard Wood.

Bill continued very successfully as an Army recruiter in Missouri and Kansas. His second son Darrell was born in August 1976 in Topeka, KS. He was stationed in Schwabach, Germany. He traded in the UH-1 and OH-6 choppers of the Air Cav for armor like the Sheridan until the arrival of the M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle in 1981. Bill was very involved in the transition and training on this new system. He spent time at Fort Hood in Texas, Fort Benning in Georgia, and then returned to Vilseck, Germany in 1983. His final post would be

Fort Knox, KY. He was with E Troop of the 5th Squadron, 12th Cavalry, 2nd Armor. Later with the 3rd Battalion, 46th Infantry introducing ROTC cadets to the Army before retiring in 1990.

SFC William Brinkley was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), National Defense Service Medal (Bronze Service Star), Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (4 Bronze Stars), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, Combat Infantryman Badge, Basic Recruiter Badge (3 Gold Achievement Stars), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Advanced), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award), M-16 Rifle Expert Qualification Badge.

Bill and his family settled near Belle, MO where he started to work to satisfy his entrepreneurial spirit. He did many things over the next several decades. He partnered in a satellite business where he worked all over the state selling and repairing large satellite dishes. He would later have Double B Satellites, a bar and grill on the corner by the old Houston House in Newburg, MO. Later he had a large dance club and bar called Z’s Place and later Billiez off I-44 in Doolittle, MO.

Bill and current wife Amy (Whittle) had a daughter Emma in December 2006. Bill enjoyed his retirement fishing with his son and friend Ed, hunting occasionally, working to take care of the house and yard work, and spending time with his family. He also enjoyed being involved as the treasurer at Victory Hill Baptist Church where he was baptized for the second time. Bill loved watching the Cardinals play baseball no matter how difficult they made it at times. He would watch western and action movies.

Gunsmoke, Quigley Down Under, anything with John Wayne, or Clint Eastwood would do just fine.

Bill was extremely proud of his daughter Emma and he enjoyed having the time to attend her softball and volleyball games. She will graduate in May 2025 and plans to be a nurse. He was proud of his two sons Bill who is Police Chief at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO and his son Darrel who was in law enforcement for many years and now works for the State of North Dakota.

Bill’s wife Amy watched over him to the end and cared for him.

Bill is survived by many loving relatives and friends. His sister Susan, her children Nikki and Paul. A brother Al and his wife Trish and another sister Kathy. His son Bill and wife Kristie have 2 children, Billy and JP. His son Darrell has 2 children with his wife Mary who passed away, Ian and Zoey, and 5 stepchildren Carrisa, Luke, Hannah, Jason, Gabriela by his wife Semille.

Bill was preceded in death by many family members and friends.

Bill will be interred in the Fort Leonard Wood Veterans Cemetery in Waynesville, MO with military honors. This will be announced later in the spring.