William Bernard Pinaire, born November 25, 1945, in Wichita, Kansas, passed away on August 24, 2025, at Ray Hickey Hospice House in Vancouver, Washington. "Bill," as most people knew him, had long battled numerous health problems, and his famously large and infinitely loving heart finally failed him. Bill spent his final days surrounded by close family and friends, and he left this world as peacefully as he lived in it. He was a man of grace, dignity, and class: a person who brightened the room with his smile, shared his love with bear hugs, held you close with his firm grip, and lived as the very definition of a great man. We will all miss him dearly.

Bill is survived by his wife of 56 years, Janet (née Lucas); his son, Brian; his daughter-in-law, Emily Baird; his grandsons, Lucas and William; his brother, Fred Pinaire; and his sisters, Marita Navarro, Betty Walker, Barbara Pinaire, and Judy Pinaire. He was preceded in death by his father, Marion Bernard (Bill) Pinaire; his mother, Mary Esther Huelskamp; his stepfather-in-law, Ben Titus; and his older sister, Carmella Lynch.

Bill opted to be cremated and to have his ashes interred in a pre-chosen plot at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska, where he went to college and lived for over 40 years. Friends and family members can expect to hear more about the details for his celebration-of-life memorial to be held in spring 2026 in Omaha. As a sign of your love and respect for this amazing husband, father, grandfather, and citizen of the world, the family requests donations in Bill's name to one of the following:

National Public Radio (https://www.npr.org/donations/support).

Friends of Hospice, Southwest Washington (www.friends-of-hospice.org).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Wichita Eagle from Sep. 2 to Sep. 7, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for William Pinaire

Sponsored by Wichita Eagle.

19 Entries

Carol Ellis

Yesterday

To be in Bill´s presence was to be surrounded in joy for his magnificent smile and tremendous heart. There is no doubt that he has always been the brightest star in the Pinaire family´s constellation! I am beyond heartbroken for your loss. Please know that Ron & I keep you all in our prayers as you navigate the loss of your beloved Bill.
Carol Ellis

September 7, 2025

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Marilyn Hoffman White

September 6, 2025

Met Bill when he was at Dall Pharmacy...he was a smart quiet and funny guy..always had a smile for you. I ended up working with him and getting to know him..He was a special guy. You'll be missed Mr. Bill.

Pinaire Jan

September 5, 2025

Lots of wonderful memories

JoAnna

September 4, 2025

Bill was such a bright light in this world, and his love will continue to live on through your family and in the many lives he touched. Mine included.
I pray you feel God´s love surrounding you and His peace bringing you comfort.

Tom and Chris Doud

Planted Trees

Tom and Chris Doud

September 3, 2025

We have known Bill for many years, since our days in college. Bill was a prince of a man, always smiling and willing to help. He was a great mentor and a fun person to be with. Bill we will miss your smile and everything about you. Rest in Peace.

Steve Brzica

September 2, 2025

Bill and I were fraternity brothers at Creighton. He and I were the big guys who played lineman on the IKE football team. Bill had a great career marrying Jan Lucas
whose family was close to mine in Sioux Falls.

Susan Gorman Barnes

September 1, 2025

I really enjoyed working with Bill at Hyvee pharmacy. He was always happy to answer questions and was helpful. He talked about his family with so much warmth and knew my older brother before he passed and would talk to me about him. You will be missed Bill. RIP

Debbie Kopp

August 31, 2025

Jan
Mike and I enjoyed our time with you when we visited in Washington. Bill was always welcoming in your home in Bethlehem and in Washington. May he rest in peace.

Richard and Shirl Rollins

August 31, 2025

My thoughts and prayers are with Jan and family. May memories of all the good ties sustain you. Shirl

David and Sharon Schroeder

August 31, 2025

We got to know Bill because David worked with Bill's wife, Jan, for three years at Hartman School in Omaha. Jan and Bill have been wonderful friends--always warm, friendly, and generous with sharing their time and talents. We were sad to see them move to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, but we knew they needed to be close to their son and his family.

May God grant the Pinaire family peace and comfort knowing Bill will be in Heaven with Jesus and other family members!

Bud Lucas

August 31, 2025

True friends are those you remember 10 years after they are gone. Bill, I will remember even after I´m gone.

Thandiwe Curtis-Gibson

August 31, 2025

I was talking to my husband about Bill before I read this and mainly talked about Bill´s heart. I didn´t know Bill for very long and we didn´t exchange many words but it was easy to feel Bill. I automatically became his Mermaid
a place I hold with unending gratitude in many hearts. It is a privileged place and I loved being in Bills and of course he was in mine. How validating to see all the references to his big heart in the beginning of this remembrance. Not a bad thing to be remembered by. Thank you Bill your love will live on through all those you´ve touched

Jane Delbridge

August 31, 2025

Jan and family, although I was just on the periphery of your close relationship with my sisters, especially with my sister Jean Delbridge, of Sioux Falls, I knew of the fine qualities of your husband Bill, whom I never had the pleasure of meeting.

My heart goes out to you. These sort of issues leave me without words to express just how sincere my condolences are ... let´s just say I can´t truly realize the depth of your grief, but empathy brings me to tears for you.

Here´s a passage that gives me solace ...

"We know you´d be with us today if Heaven weren´t so far away" Unknown

Diane Haines

August 31, 2025

I will keep your family in my prayers.

CeCe Houston

August 31, 2025

So many memories - standing in the drugstore in the middle of the blizzard in January 1975 watching one lone person trying to walk down the middle of 30th Street and stepping inside, grateful for the warmth. Then four months later, sitting in the basement while Bill stood at the top of the stairs watching for the tornado to appear and suddenly water began gushing up through the basement toilet threatening to destroy records and inventory. Bill grabbed a new roll of toilet paper and wedged it into the opening, told me to take off my sandal and hold it there so it wouldn't pop out again.
We laughed for years about me "saving us" with my foot from the embarrassment of a headline - 'drowned in flood by toilet'.
I miss you already my friend!

paula price

August 31, 2025

what a beautiful tribute to Bill one of my favorite Bill memories is being introduced to Magaritaville on the car ride home after babysitting for Brian!! The world is less without Bill in it!

Judy Pinaire

August 31, 2025

Bill, I remember when you would "throw me up in the air" when I was really little...until your arms got so tired and you had to stop. I can feel it in my memory. I you, Judy Kay

Showing 1 - 19 of 19 results