Walter Anthony Pinion
June 26, 1955 - October 12, 2020
Walter Anthony Pinion was born on June 26, 1955, in Newark, New Jersey, to the Late Joseph Pinion and Eartha Fuller Pinion. Before starting grade school, Walter, who was called Anthony by family members, spent his pre-school years in South Carolina with his grandmother, Ida Johnson, who had a profound influence on his life. One of the first lessons he learned upon entering grade school was that his first name was Walter and not Anthony. Walter successfully matriculated through grade school, graduating from Central High School with honors in 1973. He accepted a full academic scholarship to attend the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where he received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree in 1977.
Walter began his professional career with IBM as a Systems Engineer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1981, he transferred to West Palm Beach, Florida, and, for 26 years, Walter held various positions across the country. Walter retired from IBM to pursue his passions of coaching, photography, and entrepreneurship. As owner of Pinion Photography, a member of the Professional Photographers of America, he covered many noteworthy events domestically and internationally. In recent years, the business expanded to include sign/building surveys and designs.
At an early age, Walter learned there were two options for dealing with the troublemakers in his neighborhood, fighting or running. He chose the latter and quickly developed a love for the sport. Walter participated in countless road races, fifteen of which were marathons, including the 100th Year Anniversary Boston Marathon & nine New York City Marathons. Walter's association with The Atlanta Track Club, Northside Red Runners Track Club, USA Track and Field, and numerous High School track programs availed him the opportunity to coach and mentor many young people. Some of these athletes have been nationally ranked, and many received scholarships for college.
Aside from running and photography, Walter had other hobbies and interests that kept him busy and allowed him to integrate his passion for photography & coaching. One of those hobbies was snow skiing. As a member of the Southern Snow Seekers Ski Club, he enjoyed coaching the youth, spending the summer months dryland training in Piedmont Park, and taking trips to the mountains in North Carolina during the winter. Walter was also an avid golfer and a member of the National Negro Golfers Association (NNGA), where he served as the national photographer.
Walter believed he was a great cook and was known for his pancakes, wings, and pork-n-beans with rice. Holiday dinner was not complete without his contribution of rice to the menu. Most importantly, Walter was a Christian who accepted Christ at an early age. He was an active member of Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Roswell, Georgia, where he served as a photographer on the media team.
Remembrance composed by Phil Logan
Photos by Dan McCauley