William "Bill" Ellsworth Hinds

William E. “Bill” Hinds, 91 of Alanson, Michigan passed away at his home on May 30, 2021.

Bill was born in Chicago, Illinois to Lillian D. (Lang) and Roland E. Hinds.

As a young teen, he moved with his family to a farm in the Alanson area. Eventually he left for MSU (then MSC) to pursue short courses in Animal Husbandry. While at college he met and married the love of his life, Julia Hockman of Cheboygan. They settled in Lansing raising 3 children. Bill had several jobs in hardware and sales, but his heart was always on the farm.

In 1973 the couple moved their family back to the farm in Alanson. Bill tried dairy cattle, but soon turned his hand to sheep farming. In his spare time, he served for a few years on the Littlefield Twp. Zoning board, helped Al Gruler with the 4H livestock auction at the Emmet Co. fairs, and converted a Chevy S10 pickup into an electric vehicle.

While farming, Bill worked at Lockwood MacDonald hospital, retiring from there when the hospital merged and became Northern Michigan Hospital. About 1990, the couple retired from farming. Bill spent his time tinkering on various projects and traveling with Julia.

Julia preceded him in death in 2011. He also was preceded in death by his parents, oldest brother Russell and his wife Delores, his sister Luella and her husband John Irvin, and his son-in-law Victor J (Margaret) Honeysette and sister-in-law Lois (Lane) Hockman.

Bill is survived by his brother Herbert (Gertrude) of Phoenix, Ariz., his 3 children: Kenneth of Lansing, MI., Margaret Honeysette of Denham Springs, LA., Donna (Perry) Rutterbursh of Alanson, MI. and brother-in-law David Hockman of Jackson, MI.

He is survived by grandchildren: Lawrence Hinds of ND., Richard (Amber) Hinds and their children, Beck and Kennedy of MN., Paula Honeysette of LA., Travis (Tanya) Honeysette and their son, Christopher Davison of TX., Nate (Laurian) Rutterbush and their children, Charlotte, Juliette, and Morgan of CA., Steven (Amanda) Rutterbush and their children, William and Matthew Farner of IN., Scott (Stephanie) Rutterbush of MI., Rodnie (Alicia) Rutterbush and their children, Griffin and Juniper, of MI. Also many nieces and nephews across the country. He will be greatly missed by all. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

The family ask that in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to the Alanson Library or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Stone Funeral Home, Inc.

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