George William “Bill” Hinthorn (he disliked being called George) was born in Gridley, Illinois, on July 15, 1927. He was the son of Leta B. McAfferty Hinthorn, and brother of Barbara, Romona, Roger, Robert, Dean, Raymond, Jack, Harry, and Darrell.
Bill served in the United States Army during the Korean War in the 13th Ordnance Artillery and Vehicle Park Company where he supervised 25 men. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 5 Bronze Service Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and 3 OS Service Bars Merit Unit Commendation during his two Army enlistments. He achieved the rank of Corporal and received an Honorable Discharge.
As a civilian, Bill worked on the 160 acre Illinois farm he grew up on, and held many driving-related jobs. He retired in 1989 after 20 years of service with the West Coast Grocery warehouse in Tacoma, Washington.
Bill was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish, and work outdoors in his spare time. He enjoyed fishing from his 15 ½ ft. boat in Washington’s Puget Sound, and co-owned with his brother, Dean, 5 acres of land in Port Orchard, Washington, where he loved to hunt and go camping.
He loved to collect pistols and rifles, and before he ever owned a gun, he was a skilled hunter with his handmade slingshot. He also enjoyed playing and watching sports. He was a proud member of the Army boxing team during his years in the service, and he loved playing baseball and football.
Bill loved vehicles. During his lifetime he drove motorcycles, fast cars, pickup trucks, large farming machinery, military vehicles, industrial forklifts, 2½ ton gasoline trucks, and 5 ton farm trucks.
After retiring, Bill relocated to New Mexico where he lived on his ranchette property in Luna County for over 21 years before moving to the Fort Worth, Texas area for the last 8 years of his life.
George William “Bill” Hinthorn passed away on April 20, 2019, and he is undoubtedly driving in Heaven now. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Lanelle Fuqua Hinthorn, and many loving children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings, and cousins. His graveside funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery located at 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211.
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