Elroy Burnett Hinton passed away on March 19, 2023, at the age of 87, at home, with his wife of 64 years, Rose by his side. He was born on March 1, 1936, in Jacksonville, Texas to R.L. and Annie Love Hinton. He was the 5th of 10 children. His father was a sharecropper and they moved often throughout the state of Texas. Elroy graduated from Cuney High School in Cuney, Texas in 1955. In school he was known for singing and playing basketball. In April of 1956, he enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 20. He attended basic training in San Antonio, Texas, then was assigned to Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, Kansas. After one year, Elroy received orders to report to Sturgate Royal Air Force in Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, England. After reporting to two other bases, he landed in Leicester, England where he met the love of his life, Rose Mary Chase. Elroy and Rose wed in 1959 and were blessed with three sons and one daughter. In 1967, Elroy was stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, CA. After being medically retired from the Air Force, Elroy went to work for the City of Fairfield for 10 years.

After 25 years living in Fairfield, Elroy and Rose made the decision to move back to his hometown of Jacksonville, Texas. In 1992, they purchased their forever home which he and Rose lived in together for over 30 years. 

In retirement, Elroy enjoyed watching westerns, boxing, eating ice cream and any sweets Rose would make him. He loved going fishing, singing, dancing, and spending time with family and friends.

Elroy is preceded in death by his son, Dominic Hinton (Crystal Hinton) and survived by his wife, Rose Mary Hinton, his sons, Paul Driffill (Nicola Driffill) and Andrew Hinton, (Dana Hinton), and Daughter Michelle Garcia, his 9 grandchildren, Nigel Hinton (Lizeht Hinton), Ian Paul Hinton, Javier Santos, Patrice Africia Ortega, Nicole Hinton, Michael Hinton, Kirsten Mc Daniel, Laura Driffill, Charlotte Driffill, Bella Driffill, 11 great grandchildren including Rosalina Hinton and Nyla Hinton. Elroy will also be greatly missed by many loving siblings, relatives, and friends.

A service for Elroy is scheduled for May 12, 2023 at 10 am at Larissa Cemetery Co Rd 3706, Bullard, TX 75757

Followed by a reception at Cove Springs Community church 

US-175, Jacksonville, TX 75766

Donations can be made in memory of Elroy Hinton to St. Judes Hospital.