William H. Hinkley, age 70, of Ida passed away peacefully with his family by his side at Hospice of Northwest Ohio on August 18, 2023.
Bill was born November 6, 1952 in Monroe. He was the son of Walter and Lilyan (Hunter) Hinkley. He married Debra J. Poupard June 22, 1974 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Monroe.
Bill attended Monroe Public Schools. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1971. He also attended United Electronics Institute in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He graduated from there in 1973.
Bill was a proud union member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #8. He was a journeyman electrician. He worked for Time Container, Guardian Glass Corporation, Thompson Electric and Mosher Electric. He then went to Ford Motor Company, where he was a proud member of the United Auto Workers Union. He worked at the Milan Plant, Michigan Assembly Plant and retired from Livonia Transmission Plant, in 2016.
Bill loved creating beautiful gardens with his wife. They have over one hundred different types of hostas. His favorite place was his cabin in Bitely, Michigan, where he spent many years making memories with family and friends. He loved the sport of traditional archery and he felt the preservation of its history was so important. He had a vast collection of archery memorabilia. He enjoyed taking his collection to the many archery organizations and clubs he was a member of. His greatest joy in life was his family and being a Papa to his beloved grandsons.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Debbie; two children, William D. Hinkley of Ida and Jennifer J. (Lee West) James of Battle Creek; his beloved grandsons, Jacob Thomas James and Jordan William James both of Battle Creek; three siblings, Paul (Holly) Hinkley of Monroe, Starr Burgess and Mary (Roger) Snowdon of North Carolina and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law, Donald and Donna Poupard; son-in-law, Gregory James; two brothers-in-law, Donald C. Poupard and Ronald Burgess.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at Bacarella Funeral Home 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe. Graveside services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Roselawn Memorial Park, LaSalle, everyone is invited to meet the family at Roselawn for the service. Rev. Roy Southerland will officiate.
Memorial contributions in Bill's memory are suggested to the Glioblastoma Research Organization (gbmresearch.org).