Bill Pinkney obituary

Bill Pinkney passed away on Thursday in Atlanta. He was the first Black sailor to round the globe on his own using the challenging southern route, which involved rounding the five largest capes at the planet’s southernmost landmasses, including the dreaded Cape Horn. He was 87.

The Pacific and Atlantic waters converge at Cape Horn, the southernmost point of South America, in a perilous tangle of churning waves and erratic winds known as williwaws. The previous editor of Cruising World magazine, Herb McCormick, described it as “a mystical, mythical way point,” the Mount Everest of sailing. Those that complete the cape join a select group.

Bill Pinkney obituary

Bill Pinkney’s family will announce the details of his funeral. At the appropriate time, the deceased’s family and close friends will provide details about the obituary, funeral, and life celebration. We’ll try to keep you informed about their development.

We extend our deepest sympathies to the deceased’s friends and family, who are finding it difficult to process the loss of such a kind and considerate man.