William John Hines

March 22, 1940 - December 8, 2021

Obituary

Bill Hines, age 81, passed away on December 8th. He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Howard and Oma Hines. He and his wife Shirley Hines lived in Washington most of their lives. They were married for 59 years.

He is survived by his wife Shirley Hines, his children John Hines, and Martin Hines, his sister Cathy Rowe, his grandchildren Alia Lavin, Elizabeth Hines, Alex Hines, and Andy Hines, and his nieces Lee Haufle, Edith Chase, Roxanne Stewart & Cheryl Rowe. 

Bill was also a boy scout and then became a troop leader, guiding many young men, including his two sons to “do a good turn daily.” Meaning doing something to help others each day without expecting anything in return. Bill always helped the local community and the environment. As a Boy Scout leader, he would always plan activities that would encourage younger generations to experience personal growth and be better people themselves.

Bill served in the Navy from 1958-1962 on the USS Midway. Where he was a mechanic in the water desalination plant working long hours to ensure all aboard had water to drink. 

After his time in the navy, he worked for Boeing as a machinist, and if you’d ever met him he was sure to tell you that he built a part of the Voyager interstellar probe. He’d also tell you that he has his social security number and his thumbprint traveling across the stars – and that he was “always on the lookout for interstellar identity theft”. Bill retired in 1999 after 37 years with the company.

In retirement, Bill and Shirley were snowbirds, and almost every year would make the trek to Quartzsite, Arizona to spend the winter line dancing, going to Elvis impersonator concerts, and rock hunting. He would bring back his haul of rocks, and spend the spring polishing them up and making jewelry to sell at local farmer’s markets over the summer. He always made time for his family, especially his grandchildren; attending concerts, sporting events, and each of their high school graduations. Even in the cold and rain, he was there for his grandchildren, but like a proper Scout, he was always prepared.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the National Heart Association or the National Cancer Society.  

Link to donate to the American Heart Association: www.Heart.org   

Link to donate to the Cancer Society: https://donate3.cancer.org/ 

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

1 Comment
oldest
newest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Edith L Chase
Edith L Chase
2 years ago

My deepest condolences to Aunt Shirley and the rest of the family. Uncle Bill was an awesome man whom I loved and respected very much. He will always be remembered and never forgotten.