William "Bill" Pingeton

1930 - 2016

William "Bill" Pingeton, 86

HOLDEN - William "Bill" Pingeton, 86, of Holden, passed away at home on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. Born in 1930, in a three decker on Vernon Hill, Worcester to Anna Theresa Walsh and Biage Anthony "Charlie" Pingeton, both of Worcester.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Joan (Vancelette) Pingeton, as well as siblings, Helen Sharistanian, Edward, Bernadine, Charles and Richard Pingeton. He is survived by his sister, Ann (Pingeton) Goodwin of Las Cruces, NM; his daughters, Joan Marie Pingeton Freele, Hari Kirin Kaur Khalsa (nee Diane Pingeton); his son-in-law Peter Gray; two grandchildren Zachariah and Anna Lindgren; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews who all enjoyed his company immensely.

Bill was educated at St. John's High School on Temple Street. He received his BS in Education in 1952 from Worcester State Teacher's College. He then enlisted in the army and served at Fort Sam Houston during the Korean War, both as a bedside educator and a medic. He earned his Master's degree also from Worcester State.

He had a long and distinguished career from 1955 to 1994 in the Worcester Public School System as a beloved and respected teacher and principal. He was an educator in various schools in the City of Worcester, starting as a teacher in 1955 and becoming Principal in 1968. He was among the first principals chosen to participate in the Harvard University Leadership Program for Administrators. Bill mentored future principals in the WPS until his retirement in 1994.

Bill enjoyed fishing, gardening, time with family, trips to Cape Cod, furniture restoration, and playing the piano, especially at family gatherings. He was a lifelong student of history and an avid reader of nonfiction, truly an expert on both Civil War and WWII history. He was a member of The Sodality of Our Lady at the College of the Holy Cross whose activities involved charitable works, donations, volunteer works and spiritual study with the Jesuits. He attended the Greendale Men's Club. He was the recipient of the 11th Annual Good Neighbor Award by the Holden Democratic Town Committee in 2006.

Bill was known for his ready smile, friendly manner, and ability to set every situation at ease. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Bill's family from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 15, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden, and again at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, December 16, before leaving in procession for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. George's Church, 38 Brattle St., Worcester. Burial will follow next to his wife, Joan, at Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Worcester State Foundation, The William R. Pingeton '52 Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Office of University Advancement, Worcester State University, 486 Chandler St., Worcester, MA 01602. To share a memory or offer an online condolence visit

www.milesfuneralhome.com