Obituary for Billy Brack "Bill" Hinkle
Bill Hinkle passed away on May 19, 2020 at the age of 91 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Bill was born on November 29, 1928 in Bristow, Oklahoma to Frank and Joanna (Vanderpool) Hinkle. He was raised in Bristow until the family moved to Edmond, Oklahoma in 1943. At Edmond High School, Bill excelled in wresting and football. There he met Carole Jane Bell who would become the love of his life Following his graduation from Edmond High School in 1947, Bill and Carole were married in 1948 and enjoyed 57 years of marriage until Carole’s passing in 2005.
Bill enrolled at Central State University in Edmond in 1948 and would later join the Oklahoma National Guard in 1949. Bill was assigned to the 45th Infantry Division and would ultimately serve two years in Korea as a Sergeant First Class in the United States Army. After his discharge from the Army, Bill returned to Central State to complete his pre-engineering studies. Bill then enrolled at the University of Oklahoma where he would earn his degree in Petroleum Engineering graduating in 1956. Bill began his career as a staff engineer with the Carter Oil Company which later became Humble Oil & Refining Co. In 1961, Bill left Humble and took a position as a district engineer with Ashland Oil Co. Bill worked his way up through the ranks with Ashland until 1978 when he would leave Ashland Oil as the Mid-Continent Regional Manager of Exploration and Production. In 1979, Bill set out and started his own company, Hinkle Engineering, Inc. which would later become Hinkle Oil and Gas, Inc. Bill was a Registered Professional Engineer and was an active member in the Society of Petroleum Engineers for over 50 years. Hinkle Oil and Gas, Inc. continues in business today and is now in its third generation of Hinkle’s of which he was very proud. Following his retirement from the oil business, he continued to enjoy his hobbies of gardening, writing and traveling.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Joanna Hinkle, brother Dr. Alfred B. Hinkle, wife Carole, son David W. Hinkle, son Richard L. Hinkle Sr, grandson William D. Hinkle and niece Rebecca Hinkle. Bill is survived by son Bruce A. Hinkle and wife Laura, daughter-in-law’s Linda Hinkle and Judy Hinkle, nieces and nephews Mika, Donna, Tommy, Billy, Terry and Brenda, grandchildren Carla, Christie, Rich, Kris, Nathan, Amber, Bobby, Lisa and Brian, and a host of great grandchildren.
With COVID-19 considerations, visitation and a remembrance of Bill’s life will be at Vondel Smith & Son Funeral Home in north Oklahoma City. Graveside services and final interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Edmond. The Hinkle family would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to the staff and care workers in Building 3 at Heritage Point Memory Care Center in Oklahoma City and to everyone at Centennial Hospice for your love, support and care of Bill.
Bill enrolled at Central State University in Edmond in 1948 and would later join the Oklahoma National Guard in 1949. Bill was assigned to the 45th Infantry Division and would ultimately serve two years in Korea as a Sergeant First Class in the United States Army. After his discharge from the Army, Bill returned to Central State to complete his pre-engineering studies. Bill then enrolled at the University of Oklahoma where he would earn his degree in Petroleum Engineering graduating in 1956. Bill began his career as a staff engineer with the Carter Oil Company which later became Humble Oil & Refining Co. In 1961, Bill left Humble and took a position as a district engineer with Ashland Oil Co. Bill worked his way up through the ranks with Ashland until 1978 when he would leave Ashland Oil as the Mid-Continent Regional Manager of Exploration and Production. In 1979, Bill set out and started his own company, Hinkle Engineering, Inc. which would later become Hinkle Oil and Gas, Inc. Bill was a Registered Professional Engineer and was an active member in the Society of Petroleum Engineers for over 50 years. Hinkle Oil and Gas, Inc. continues in business today and is now in its third generation of Hinkle’s of which he was very proud. Following his retirement from the oil business, he continued to enjoy his hobbies of gardening, writing and traveling.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Joanna Hinkle, brother Dr. Alfred B. Hinkle, wife Carole, son David W. Hinkle, son Richard L. Hinkle Sr, grandson William D. Hinkle and niece Rebecca Hinkle. Bill is survived by son Bruce A. Hinkle and wife Laura, daughter-in-law’s Linda Hinkle and Judy Hinkle, nieces and nephews Mika, Donna, Tommy, Billy, Terry and Brenda, grandchildren Carla, Christie, Rich, Kris, Nathan, Amber, Bobby, Lisa and Brian, and a host of great grandchildren.
With COVID-19 considerations, visitation and a remembrance of Bill’s life will be at Vondel Smith & Son Funeral Home in north Oklahoma City. Graveside services and final interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Edmond. The Hinkle family would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to the staff and care workers in Building 3 at Heritage Point Memory Care Center in Oklahoma City and to everyone at Centennial Hospice for your love, support and care of Bill.