Billy Royce Hinton

Billy Royce Hinton

Billy Royce Hinton, 91, passed away on July 30, 2024, in Beaumont, Texas surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City, Texas. Officiating will be Reverend Keith Royal. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange, Texas. 

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City.

Bill was born in Wrightsboro, Texas, on December 3, 1932, son of Milton Frank and Sally Edwards Hinton. He grew up a quintessential “country boy” with a passion for horses, working cattle with friends, trail riding and weekly Wednesday auction trips with his dearest friend, Beeman Wade. He also enjoyed many years as a dedicated member of the Orange County Sheriff’s Posse. Bill proudly served in the United States Army from 1953-1955 serving in the First Calvary Division. On September 7, 1956, Bill married the love of his life, his “Sunshine”, Emalois Keith. Bill and Emalois were blessed with four daughters, four sons-in-law, nine grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren—and one on the way. Bill and Emalois moved to Bridge City, Texas, in 1961, where Bill began his work career in the oil and gas industry, first with Firestone, then B.F. Goodrich, and lastly, retiring from Bayer with 25 years of service. Throughout his career, he made many lifelong friendships along the way that he treasured. Bill and Emalois enjoyed many years of traveling across the USA with their dear friends and spent many special years enjoying being part of the Good Sam Club the “Orange Gators”. Bill cherished the memories of the many deer hunting trips he took with his sons-in-law, grandsons and close friends. There was always a good story to follow. Bill and Emalois’ 67 years of marriage were based on unwavering love and steadfast support for each other throughout life’s challenges; a marriage their family immensely admires and aspires to emulate daily. Family was everything to Bill.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Sally and Milton Frank Hinton, his sister, Peggy Hinton, and his brothers, Marion Hinton and Richard Glenn Hinton.

He is survived by his loving wife, Emalois, his sisters, Shirley Haass, Mattie Jane Haass, Lou Glass, and Sue Love; his daughters, Donna Riley (David) of Bridge City, TX, Paula Reed (Gene) of Jasper, TX, Tammy Stevens (Max) of Mont Belvieu, TX, and Billie Wilkinson (Bill) of Corpus Christi, TX. He is also survived by his 9 grandchildren, John Riley (Nicole), Jaclyn Vaughn (Trey), James Pate, Jamie Roy (Garrett), Kari Knight (Jamey), Darrel Stevens (Brittney), Katie Delapasse (Justin), Keith Wilkinson, and Karlie Wilkinson, along with 14 great grandchildren, and one on the way.

Serving as pallbearers will be John Riley, James Pate, Darrel Stevens, Keith Wilkinson, Trey Vaughn, Jamey Knight, Garrett Roy, and Justin Delapasse.

The Hinton family would like to thank the many loving healthcare workers and personal care assistants involved in the medical support of Bill.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Bridge City, 200 W. Round Bunch Road, Bridge City, Texas.