Kenneth Joyce Hines, age 89, died Sunday, July 5, 2015, in Austin, Texas.The son of Christopher Columbus Hines and Grace Bales Hines, Ken was born in Detroit, TX and raised near Clarksville, Texas, with his seven brothers and sisters. He married his lifelong sweetheart, Barbara Stegall, in 1944, shortly after joining the army.Ken is a veteran of World War II, where he served with pride for almost two years in the 82nd Airborne Division of the Army, first as a paratrooper and then as a colonel’s trusted driver in Europe.After the war, Ken’s entrepreneurial and hardworking spirit led him to own and run a grocery store in Midland, Texas together with Barbara. Then he worked for Schlumberger for 30 years, where he was appreciated for his spirited outlook and innovative ideas. Ken used his knowledge of the oil field to develop and sell a special pact tool with a ceramic disc used in oil well completion. While Ken was working for Schlumberger, he and his family moved back to Midland, Texas, where he and Barbara stayed until their final years.After retirement, Ken was able to spend more time where he most loved to be: out on the water. Ken’s love of boats and fishing began in 1957, when he and Barbara won a small red plaid boat in a raffle. By the early 1970s, he was toting family and catching fish in a beige Stamas boat, which he named the Gabrel V, after his three daughters and his beloved family of five. On the water—from Kino Bay to Port Isabel, and countless lakes in between—Ken shared his passion with family, friends, and strangers, though they were never strangers for long. As a professional fishing guide on Lake Buchanan and a dealer of boating equipment, Ken’s clients found in him a generous friend, always happy to share his boat, his knowledge, and his contagious love of fishing. Above all, on the decks of the Gabrel V, Ken shared his love with family and friends, for which they will always cherish him with deep affection.Ken is survived by his three daughters—Gail (Bill) O’Sullivan, Brenda (Henry) Kelley, and Elaine (Wayland) Hazel. He also leaves behind his seven grandchildren—Jeffrey O’Sullivan, Jennifer O’Sullivan, Susan Rose, Morgan (Logan) Porter, Stephanie Hazel, Samuel Hazel, and John Hazel, and two great-grandchildren—Eleanor Wiseman and Isabella Rose.Ken was preceded in death by his dear wife of 67 years, Barbara Hines.He will be laid to rest in peace beside her on Friday, July 10, 2015. The public graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., at Resthaven Memorial Park. A reception will follow at 5800 Crowley Blvd. Loved ones are also invited to a viewing from 6:00pm-8:00pm on Thursday, July 9, 2015, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.,
