William Earl Brinkley

Published 12:04 pm Wednesday, March 18, 2020

William Earl “Bill” Brinkley, 75, of Lauren Lane, Camden and formerly of Chesapeake, Va. died Thursday, March 12, 2020 at his residence. He was a native of Camden County born July 6, 1944 to the late Otis Monroe Brinkley Sr. and Alma Forbes Brinkley. He was the husband of Patricia Brinkley. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he served his country honorably in the U.S. Army. After serving, he attended North Carolina State University and graduated from Campbell University. He was owner and operator of a business products company; and retired from the Department of Homeland Security, US Coast Guard Financial Center in Chesapeake, Va. As an active member of Shiloh Baptist Church, he served as a deacon and held many offices over the years including the director of the Baptist Men. He spearheaded the Shiloh Baptist Church’s Backpack Ministry and provided leadership and energy to this program. He served in many capacities in his community but he was devoted to his work with the Camden Food Pantry.

He is survived by Patricia, his loving wife of fifty-five years; sister Nancy Brinkley Carter and husband Don of Elizabeth City; brother Carl Simeon Brinkley and wife Kim of Shiloh; nieces Sarah Ann Hill,  Mary Elizabeth Hill and Lisa Brinkley Price; nephew Rev. Cody Brinkley and wife Ashley; mother in law, Eleanor Collins of Shiloh; sister in law, Dora Hill of Sunbury; two godchildren and a host of special nieces and nephews, friends and church family. He was preceded in death by brother, Otis M. Brinkley Jr.; father in law Melvin Collins;  and brother in law John Hill.

A graveside service was held March 16, 2020 at West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery officiated by Rev. Billy Royal, Rev. Cody Brinkley and Rev. Don Carter. Memorial donations may be made to Shiloh Baptist Church Backpack Ministry, PO Box 31, Shiloh, NC  27974. Twiford Funeral Home, Elizabeth City, is serving the Brinkley family. Online memorial condolences may be sent to the family at www.TwifordFH.com.

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