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Bayron E. Binkley, Sr.
Nashville - Bayron Binkley Sr. aka "Bink" and Happy A. Clown passed away at Nashville's VA hospital on Monday morning April 25, 2022. Born in Detroit, Michigan in 1933, Bink was preceded in Death by his Parents, Marvin F. Binkley and Corrie Baggett Binkley, wife Nancy West Binkley, daughter Trina Leah Binkley, and Sister Connie Sue Binkley Dorris. Bink is survived by sons, Bayron Jr. (Patricia), and Blair Binkley (Lori). Grandchildren, David Binkley, Chris Binkley (Lauren), Dale Binkley (Allison), Adam Binkley, Eric Binkley, and Brother Ed Binkley (Joy). Other family survivors include 6 Great Grandchildren, numerous Nephews, Nieces, Cousins and the mother of his sons, Kathy Adams Binkley. Binkley served the Country during the Korean War era in the U.S. Air Force. Bink was a graduate of David Lipscomb High School.
Binkley was hired at WSM-TV in the late 1950's where he started as a camera man then turned Producer and Director and within a short time became an Afternoon Children's show Icon, Happy A. Clown working with Dave Overton on Happy Town. Later he joined Boyce Hawkins (Grandpa Moses) and lastly with David Cobb (Professor Hardy). Beginning in the early 1960's Binkley produced and directed several local shows which included Ralph Emery Show, The Opry Almanac, The Noon Show, An afternoon entertainment show, the News programs at 6 and 10 PM. Starting primarily in the early 1960's, the WSM studios were home to many syndicated shows that were produced and directed by Bink which included shows: Flatt and Scruggs, the Kitty Wells and Johnny Wright Show, Del Reeves Country Carnival, Jim Ed Brown's Show and many others. By the mid-70s and the emergence of Opryland Productions and Show Biz Productions, Bink was involved with many more shows. After the start of The Nashville Network, Bayron took his production team to many destinations around the US and the Caribbean Islands to tape additional programming for TNN until his retirement in the mid-1990s. His work in the entertainment industry led to great friendships with people of all walks including 2 Presidents and many in the Country Music industry.
There will be a visitation with the Family Thursday May 5th, 2022, during the hours of 6-8 PM in the main auditorium of the Church of Christ in Green Hills formerly known as the Granny White church of Christ, 3805 Granny White adjoining Lipscomb Academy.
In lieu of flowers, the Family requests donations to the Charities of your choice.
Posted online on May 02, 2022
Published in The Tennessean
