HINES

Retired Master Sgt. Willie J. Hines, 70, of Warner Robins, Ga., went to be with his Savior Monday, July 1, 2013. He was born in Bogalusa on July 22, 1942, the son of William Henry and Ethel Hines.

He proudly served 20 years and eight months in the United States Air Force and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He retired in Warner Robins, where he continued to serve his country through civil service at Warner Air Force Base for 25 years.

A lifetime member of the VFW Post 6605, he served as post commander for four years and district commander for three years. He also was a lifetime member of the Warner Robins Moose Lodge 1685, a 32nd Degree Master Mason Tryian Lodge III and a lifetime member of American Legion Post 172. He was active in the VFW Hospital programs serving disabled veterans, and was hospital chairman in the Dublin, Ga. VA Hospital for 15 years. He was chairman of moral and hospital visits for the Georgia War Veterans Home in Milledgeville, Ga.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Anderson Farve and Oliver Hines; and one sister, Annie McNeese.

His survivors include two sons, Willie J. (Vanise) Hines Jr. of Niceville, Fla. and William Jeffrey (Cassandra) Hines of Bogalusa; a daughter, Sharon A. Hines of Bogalusa; the mother of his children, Annette Crain Batson of Bogalusa; seven grandchildren, Brandon and Melanie Penton, Bradley Hines, Kayla and Matthew Bond, Callie Jo and Christopher Lathan, Thomas Penton, Devan Hines and Grayson Hines; four great-grandchildren, Chase, Banyan and Brinley Penton and Adelyn Bond; and four sisters, Myrtle Fedele, Opal Worth, Yvonne Castilow and Vonzeal Fedele.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 3 at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home from 11 a.m. until time for the funeral service at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Robbie Stuart officiating. Interment will follow at the Veterans Plot in Ponemah Cemetery, with military graveside services conducted by the American Legion Magic City Post 24.

Active Pallbearers will be Willie J. Hines Jr., Eric Graffagnini, Thomas Penton, Matthew Bond, Todd Wells and Steven Stuart. William Jeffery Hines is the honorary pallbearer.

Donations in memory of Willie J. Hines may be made to VFW Post 6605-VA Hospital Fund, 1101 Corder Road, Warner Robins, GA 31088.

To view and sign online, visit pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.