Arthur Hinz, Jr.

Arthur Earnest Hinz, Jr. of Spartanburg, South Carolina passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease on December 20, 2021.

Arthur was born April 24, 1938, in Fort Worth, Texas. He was a lifelong member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) first attending at Magnolia Christian Church of Fort Worth. He later served as both a deacon and as an elder at Handley Meadowbrook Christian Church of Fort Worth and was an active member of First Christian Church in Ruidoso, New Mexico.

Arthur graduated from Fort Worth Polytechnic High School in the spring of 1956. He attended Arlington State College in Arlington, Texas the following fall semester to study mechanical engineering. On August 25, 1956, Arthur was introduced to Darla Chandler by mutual friends. They married April 25, 1958.

In August 1958 Arthur began his career with Tension Envelope Corporation - Fort Worth. He started his career as an adjustor trainee, advanced to adjustor, was promoted to department head and in 1971 was selected as production manager, a position he held for 33 years before retiring in 2004 concluding a 45+ year career with the company.

An avid machinist and mechanic Arthur loved to ride and exhibit one-of-a-kind motorcycles customized with accessories he designed and fabricated. Arthur and Darla toured forty-four states and Canada exhibiting his customized motorcycles. Arthur was an annual participant in the Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally in Ruidoso, New Mexico for many years. His customized Honda Gold Wing motorcycle was awarded a perfect score at the rally bike show in 1999. The first and only perfect score awarded in the history of the show at that time.

After retiring in 2004 Arthur and Darla moved to Ruidoso where they lived year-round for nine years. Arthur was active in the Ruidoso Kiwanis club and in city government. Arthur served on the City of Ruidoso planning and zoning committee, the midtown committee, and the cemetery board. He volunteered at the Lincoln County food bank and the Historic Fort Stanton Site. He also advocated for the preservation his favorite hiking spot, Moon Mountain Recreation Area working with the Ruidoso Parks and Recreation to create multi-use trails. In 2013 Arthur and Darla moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina to be near family.

His gentle spirit, his guiding principle of work done well, and his wonderful smile will be missed by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Hazel Becker Hinz and Arthur E. Hinz, Sr. of Fort Worth, Texas.

Arthur is survived by his wife of 63 years, Darla, daughters Valerie Hilton (John) of Columbus, Ohio, Erin Heath (Ricky) of Spartanburg, South Carolina, sister Emelea Mandeville of Keene, Texas, grandchildren Christopher Hilton of West Des Moines, Iowa, Shelby Watson (Alex) of Oxford, Mississippi, Aaron Heath (Amanda) of Killeen, Texas, Erick Heath (Abijah) of Savannah, Georgia and 5 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 1:00 PM Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307, conducted by The Rev. Dr. Steven Owensby.

The entire Hinz family would like to thank the staff of Spartanburg Regional Hospice for the compassionate care and kindness provided to our family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Arthur’s memory to the Parkinson’s Disease charity of your choice, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Spartanburg, South Carolina Humane Society.

Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel

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