Obituary of William Joseph Tinney

AIKEN, SC – William “Bill”Joseph Tinney (85 years old) of Aiken, SC passed away at his home on Saturday, January 30, 2021. 

William was born in Sylacauga, Alabama on October 20, 1935 to Wilmont and Azile Tinney.  He graduated in 1953 from the Oxford High School and attended a semester’s study at the University of Alabama before entering the U.S. Air Force in 1954 - serving four years active duty. After completing his service in the Air Force, Bill worked at the Anniston Army Depot as a mechanic in which he fixed military vehicles and painted them for use in the field.  During this time, and after, Bill was in the theater business at a time where it was not unusual to find 5,000 seat theaters.  He managed theaters in both Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia (along with other projects done, usually with his brothers, in the Augusta, Georgia area). William married his wife of fifty-two years, Sandy, on July 4^th, 1968. In the early 70s, he became a supervisor, and later, senior operations manager at the Jefferson County Civic Center in Birmingham, Alabama and served there until 1977.  Again, he joined his brothers in the Aiken – Augusta area while working at Owens Corning Fiberglass, soon after, moving his family to Aiken, SC in 1979. 

Bill Tinney re-entered military service by joining the U.S. Army Reserves and being assigned to the 450th Ordinance Company where he served as an administrative and inventory specialist.  He served faithfully and dutifully through twenty years of service retiring in 1995.  He is a decorated veteran having served in the Gulf War (Operations: Desert Shield and Desert Storm [1990-1991]). He also served in the Hurricane Hugo Emergency Effort when the 450th was called to action to assist in Emergency Management support in 1989. He was decorated over twenty times with his notable decorations being an Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (x2), and the Kuwait Liberation Medal (awarded by the Saudis for service in Operation Desert Storm, 1991). 

Bill Tinney was a production supervisor, and later retired, at Castleberry’s Foods Co. in Augusta, Georgia. While working with Castleberry’s, he assisted in set-up of Spuds Potato Plant which processed potatoes for use in Castleberry’s products.  After retiring from Castleberry’s Foods, he worked as a property manager for Dr. Blowers and Joe Crane – helping with house construction and renovations.  If you have visited Hopeland Gardens, you’ve likely walked across the bridge over their small pond or sat in the White Gazebo that has been relocated to new expanded part of the gardens – both he built.  Bill Tinney greatly enjoyed working with his hands, being a jack-of-all-trades in construction which was his passion.

Bill Tinney was also a member of Millbrook Baptist Church since 1980 and served as an usher for 15 years.

William J. Tinney is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sandra Saxara Tinney; son, William “Will” Joseph Tinney, Jr. (Lily), grandsons, Patrick Allen Boatwright (Amanda), William James “B.J.” Boatwright; great grandsons, Sawyer and Wyatt.  He is also survived by an older brother, James (Betty).  Also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his six other brothers and sisters, Monroe, Blanchard, Peggy, Jerry, Terrell and Elizabeth.  His daughter, Kimberly Anne Tinney, also preceded him in death having passed away on October 10, 2013.

The family will receive friends beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at George Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 5:00 p.m. in The George Funeral Chapel. Interment, with military honors, will be private Thursday, February 4, 2021, at Ft. Jackson National Cemetery. You may view the live-stream of the funeral by visiting the official George Funeral Home & Cremation Center Facebook page Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. and the commital service at 9:00 a.m. Thursday. 

The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com