William Loyd Hindman || Obituary

WILLIAM LOYD HINDMAN, 92, formerly of Paris, took his final flight from The Woodlands, Texas on June 1, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Graveside Rites with full military honors will be conducted at 2:00 PM Monday, June 10, 2024, in the Tigertown Cemetery, with his son-in-law Stephen Rooks as Eulogist, accompanied by Rev. Doug Holt. The family will receive friends from 3:00 PM till 4:00 PM on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at the Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home

He was born August 20, 1931, in the Tigertown community of Lamar County, a son of Robert Lee and Margie Briggs Hindman.  He was a 1948 graduate of Shafter High School, in California. Having been a lifetime member of the Paris Church of God, he fell in love with the pastor’s daughter, Barbara Ann Swart, whom he married on April 1, 1955. She preceded him in death in 2011. Even from a young age he had always considered himself a soldier, and at age seventeen his parents signed for permission for him to join the United States Army as an infantryman. Loving aviation, and learning to fly while in high school, he was trained at the Army Flight School. William was thrilled to be a part of the New York City tickertape parade at the conclusion of the Korean Conflict. He was a Fixed and Rotary Wing Pilot and earned the Combat Infantry Badge while serving in that war. He went on to serve in the Vietnam War, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. William was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Bronze Star, among other awards. He dedicated his life to over twenty years of service to his country, retiring in 1971.

William was a lover of learning, and in the 1950’s he attended college and universities in every city that his military service took him.  He earned his B.S. degree from Troy State University in Alabama, and later completed his Master of Education degree at East Texas State University, Commerce, Texas. Following his military career, he became Vice-President of Fiscal Affairs at Paris Junior College, serving under both Presidents Louis B. Williams and Bobby Walters. He served PJC for twenty years, until his retirement. In addition to his military and academic careers, he was a lover of the outdoors. He became a lifetime hunter and fisherman, learning from his grandfather to treat and sell pelts. William also loved dogs, antique cars, and, always the bargain hunter, enjoyed Garage and Rummage Sales. Holidays were special times to William, and he loved to gather his family together to celebrate.

William is survived by a daughter, Robin Rooks and husband Stephen, of The Woodlands, and a son, William Loyd “Chip” Hindman, of Paris. Other survivors include his grandchildren, Megan Larkin and husband Matthew, of Conroe, William Tanner Hindman, of Huntsville, and Ryan Rooks, of The Woodlands; two great-grandchildren, Kash and Zane Larkin; and a sister, Dorotha Abbott, of Paris.

Serving as pallbearers will be Larry Westbrook, Chris Mantooth, D. J. Gordwin, Mike Freewith, Kash Larkin, and Matthew Larkin.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.fry-gibbs.com .